AL chief confers with Tunisian president

Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin Bin Ali on Tuesday met with Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid who concluded a three-day visit to Tunisia.

The Tunisian news agency said that Bin Ali discussed with the AL chief "current developments in the Arab arena, strengthening the role of the AL in Tunisia as means of the main element for a joint Arab effort on the Arab Maghreb Union and relations with the European Union."

Meanwhile, a session of the higher coordination committee for joint Arab work on Tuesday concluded its meetings which started on Sunday with the participation of heads of specialized Arab organizations. The session focused on studying the project of establishing an Arab zone for free trade.

The AL chief said the establishment of an Arab common market of 270 million inhabitants will encourage joint investments. He indicated that some 14 Arab states have started to implement the executive program for the greater Arab free trade zone.