Arab FMs for unity, peace and co-op

EGYPT: A repeated call t01o settle differences and join hands to achieve unity, regional peace and cooperation prevailed in the meeting of foreign ministers of the League of Arab states (AL) held in Cairo Tuesday.

The 22-country AL discussed in its permanent venue in Cairo a 28-point agenda including situation in Sudan, the Israel-Palestinians peace process, the struggle of the Palestinian people and proposals to solve internal division.

In his speech as chair of the meeting, Sudanese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ali Ahmed Karti, called on his colleagues to mend fences and foster cooperation and coordination to make dreams of regional countries come true.

He also called on AL members to act in line with the Arab Peace Initiative defended again by Saudi King Abdulah bin Abdul Aziz during the Arab economic, social, development summit held in Kuwait in January.

Participants in the meeting extolled the donor conference promoted by Egypt, which offered yesterday $4.50 billion to reconstruct Gaza and boost Palestinian economy, but at the same time considered the unity of the Palestinian people a priority.

Karti proposed to define today's session as "of Arab harmony," and extolled understanding reached between foreign ministers Walid Al-Moallem (Syria) and Prince Saud Al-Faisal (Saudi Arabia) in the wake of differences intensified with the Israeli aggression against Gaza.

AL Secretary General Amr Moussa extolled pro-peace stands maintained by several leaders from the area, and warned that only by strengthening these criteria they will be able to "heal wounds as needed to confront common challenges."

He said suggestions of unity from Arab dignitaries will be discussed during the summit of the organization scheduled for Qatar on March 30, when a parallel meeting with heads of State from South American countries is also expected to be held.

In this regard, Foreign Minister of Bahrein, Sheikh Khaled Bin Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa, warned that "peace will not be achieved without a total Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territories and the creation of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital."

- Cairo, Prensa Latina