Jordan excludes convening of summit for the band countries

Jordanian political sources said yesterday that Jordan does not intend to convene a fivefold summit gathering the El-Touk (band) countries, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine, contradicting what was expected and communications made during the last few months.

The sources said the current period will witness some changes and disorder, especially in Palestinian - Syrian relations, after the statements made by Syrian Minister of Defense Mustafa Tlass about Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, adding that these atmospheres do not enable to the two sides to meet.

The sources excluded convening such summit soon, in spite of the importance of convening it to discuss international and regional causes of joint interest and reach a unified stance regarding the peace process.