Consultative meeting tomorrow by 16 foreign ministers, four Arab League delegates

The expanded consultative ministerial meeting for the Arab states is to be held tomorrow in Cairo to discuss the Iraqi crisis and its repercussions in the presence of 16 foreign ministers and four permanent delegates to the Arab League.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa highlighted the importance of this meeting bringing about a positive, useful position for Arab interests and for Iraq and its people.

Moussa said that he had consulted with officials and foreign ministers during the last few hours and that consultations will continue through the rest of the day to reach a unified Arab position during the meeting.

He added that he met in Aswan yesterday with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisel and that they reviewed the issues to be raised in the consultative meeting and some regional issues of joint concern.

Moussa said the issue of convening an Arab summit could be raised during the meeting, but it is not the main topic.