Arab League says too early for Arab army

Secretary general of the Arab League Esmat Abdel Meguid said on Monday that it was premature to ponder establishment of a joint Arab army and indicated that the Arab states were still suffering from repercussions of the 1990 gulf crisis.

Abdel Meguid, in remarks to visiting African journalists, affirmed that the joint Arab defence treaty has not been implemented.

It is not yet time to talk about the creation of a joint Arab army, Abdel Meguid said.

Abdel Meguid re-affirmed that the Arab league was reeling under a financial crisis.

He indicated that the Organization of African Unity had deprived members of the right of vote for their failure to pay overdue contributions, "we hope we won't be compelled to make a similar decision," he said.

Abdel Meguid charged that Israel was plotting to incite "corruption in Africa and drive a wedge between the Arabs and Africans."