Heads of Arab delegations value Saudi king's efforts in defending nation's issues

Siniora calls on Arab FMs to discuss relations with Syria

Just solution of Arab-Israeli conflict key to solve region's crises

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad opened in Damascus the 20th ordinary session of the Arab Summit.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, addressing the inaugural session of the Arab summit, hoped that the summit would yield positive results.

He noted that the convening of the summit at this critical time is a matter of honor and responsibility.

He noted that Syria believes in the significance of the joint Arab work, adding that 'we have done our best to create the suitable environment for ensuring the success of the summit, and I do feel happy for surpassing several obstacles which impede its path'.

"We are facing series of challenges which threaten our solidarity and make our countries an open theatre for the disputes of others'.

Al-Assad said the Arab-Arab relations and the surrounding circumstances in the past and present have created an unacceptable situation in the Arab world.

Al-Assad noted that the Arabs do realize the significance of peace and noted that the Arab peace initiative in 2002 constitutes a clear evidence for the intention of the Arab countries on realizing peace.

Security will be realized only through peace and not through aggression and wars, he said, adding that the Arabs have spared no opportunity to express their desire in peace.

"On the contrary, Israel has been behaving in an arrogant manner and refusing to apply the international resolutions," Al-Assad noted.

The Secretary General of the Arab League Amr Moussa expressed his appreciation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, who chaired the last summit for his keenness on Arabism and sincerity to religion.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the 20th Arab summit, Moussa commended the great support provided by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the Arab League believing in its pivotal role at the level of Arab relations.

He pointed to the major challenges facing the future of this nation and its vital issues, warning of the dangers posed to the Arab nation currently.

The Arab world should shoulder the responsibility of defending the Arab entity and culture and tackle the reasons behind the Arab societies' weakness, the Arab League secretary general said.

It is necessary to cooperate in confronting 21st century challenges represented in promoting education and science and confronting global warming and other environment problems, Amr Moussa said.

He called for holding an Arab meeting at the level of foreign ministers in mid-2008 to evaluate the situation and take the right decisions regarding the peace process. It there is progress then it should be supported otherwise suitable decisions should be taken even if they have to be painful, he said.

As for the situation in Iraq, he said new Iraq will never be a reality unless it becomes a country for the Arabs, Kurds, Shiites, Sunnis, Christians and Turkmens without discrimination.

As for the Lebanese problem, Moussa said the election of the president will lead to reconciliation in Lebanon and understanding between Lebanon and Syria, adding that these are main elements for the return of calm and stability in this country.

He asserted that the Arab initiative will continue in this respect. The Arab League spares no effort in protecting Sudan and finding swift solutions to the situation in Darfur, he added.

The summit is being held because it must be held, he said, asserting that holding an annual Arab summit is a commitment no matter what the circumstances are.

The Arab and Islamic worlds are intertwined and integrated which helps create policies that support Muslims worldwide as both worlds are facing the same problems, according to Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

It is necessary to coordinate stands between the OIC and the Arab League regarding Israel's practices against the Palestinian people to refer them to the international courts concerned, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said addressing the Arab summit's opening session.

He called for the need to dispatch international troops to protect the Palestinian people and to discard differences among the Palestinian ranks. He urged the Iraqi people to adhere to Mecca document which was signed a couple of years ago to put an end to sectarian fighting in the country, adding that the organization to soon open an office in Baghdad to closely follow up the situation there.

It is necessary to support the Palestinian people until they gain their legitimate rights and establish their independent state, the outgoing head of the African Union said in his address to the inaugural session.

Alpha Oumar Konare said the Damascus summit will be a historic one. Africa has numerous potentials and resources through which it can overcome all of its difficulties. Africa should play an important role on the international arena, he added.

Leader of Libyan Revolution Colonel Muammer Gaddafi called on the Arab countries to stick to at least a minimum level of Arab agreement or consensus in order to prove their own existence.

Addressing the 20th Arab summit in session Damascus, Gaddafi said the Arabs are not able to prove their existence because there is no one Arab entity.

The Arabs as single states have no place in this new world while new unified groupings are being formed in Europe, Latin America and Northern America, he said.

He called on the Arab League to go on with its activities despite everything.

Sudan continues efforts at the domestic, regional and international levels to bring about security and peace in Darfur region, Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir said.

President Bashir said Sudan welcomed every positive initiative and engaged in negotiations and declared ceasefire to show its goodwill.

He praised the Arab Conference for Supporting and Treating the Humanitarian Situation in Darfur and the generous Arab pledges made during that conference.

Al-Bashir said "we do not stay away from what is occurring in our world nowadays as the future is full of tension, rift and instability, a matter which negatively affects conditions in Arab countries, especially in Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Sudan and Somalia."

President Bashir saw the sole way out of this through determination in line with a clear Arab vision and joint positive action along with engaging in dialogue to clear all differences in an attempt to resolve existing debacles.

President Bashir underlined that Sudan spared no efforts to unify visions and contribute to adopting mechanisms capable of "making us attain our goals."

As to the Palestinian cause, President Bashir called for all Palestinian rival factions to close ranks in order to be able to "mobilize our efforts to bring a halt to occupation which is the root of all crimes against the Palestinian people."

President Bashir said his country started measures to receive 2,000 Palestinian refugees stranded at Iraq's border with Syria and Jordan in a sign to show full commitment to the Palestinian cause.

President Bashir called for "doing our utmost to make the international community shoulder its responsibilities for protecting the Palestinian nation by virtue of international law, the UN charter and UN Security Council resolutions.

President Bashir attacked continued insults to Islam committed on the pretext of freedom of expression. In this regard, he called for adopting an international charter mandating respect for all nations' religions, a move which would push forward an inter-civilization dialogue around the world.

Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, speaking at an Arab Summit, asked for regional protection for Palestinians.

During the Arab leadership gathering in Damascus, Abbas accused Israel of attempting to prevent the creation of an independent Palestinian state by splitting apart regional Palestinian territories, KUNA reported.

The Palestinian leader said those efforts were endangering Palestinians and he called on the summit leaders to offer increased protection to them, the Kuwaiti news agency said.

"Amid the ongoing Israeli escalation in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem, we are seeking Arab and international protection of our people," Abbas said.

Abbas said he has attempted to quell the growing conflict through an offer of a mutual truce with Israel. The Palestinian official said he also has been in contact with Israeli officials regarding a plan to control border crossings in Gaza.

In his address to the opening session of the Arab Summit His Highness the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al Ahmad al Jaber al Sabah voiced hope that the summit would lead to resolutions "conducive to the security, welfare and progress of the Arab nation." He thanked Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, government and people for their efforts to host the summit and the warm welcome and hospitality offered to the Arab leaders.

Meanwhile, HH the Emir thanked Saudi Monarch and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin-Abdulaziz for his sincere efforts as chairman of the 19th Arab Summit. Dealing with the current problems of the Arab world, he said: "It is clear to everybody that the current period is very serious and sensitive as it is featured with great challenges to the Arab nations, impacts on their social coherence and shrouds their future in mystery.

"Out of our historical responsibilities, we have to deal with these challenges with utmost realism, frankness and awareness with a view to warding off risks posed to our Arab nation and securing our common interests.

"The reason for the current situation, we believe, is in the first place our concentration on differences of political views rather than that the prospects of cooperation in various fields.

"This situation consumes our zest for defining a clear vision of our future with due attention to the social and economic development pursuits while taking into account the political and security challenges.

"Thereby, Kuwait, in cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Republic of Egypt, adopted the suggestion of hosting an Arab social and economic summit.

"The suggestion was approved by the Riyadh summit.

"I seize the chance of the current summit to express our aspiration that all Arab leaders would take part in the social and economic summit due in Kuwait in early 2009. "I also hope the event will be a great success."The call for holding the social and economic summit emanates from the necessity of cementing joint Arab action, facing the common social and economic challenges and achieving the common interests of our countries.

"The event will assert the role of the private sector as a mainstay for giant economic projects in our countries and push forward the development of economic legislations.

"It will help create an atmosphere conducive to economic cooperation and promotion of Arab and foreign investments.

"Therefore we invite all institutions concerned with Arab joint action in all fields to take part in the preparation for the summit and ensure its success.

As for the Arab-Israeli peace process, HH the Emir said: "The Arab countries and the international community at large have been optimistic about the positive tone and atmosphere of the Annapolis peace conference."We have sincerely believed we were poised to enter a new phase featuring the establishment of a fair and comprehensive peace between the Arabs and Israel, the restoration of usurped Arab rights, fulfillment of the legitimate Palestinian aspirations and securing regional security and stability.

"However, Israel started and is still carrying out atrocities in, and embargo against, Gaza Strip and other Palestinian territories and continued the settlement expansion in the occupied territories in blatant breach of all international laws and conventions.

"We reaffirm that fair and comprehensive peace can be established in the Middle East only through strict commitment to the international legitimacy resolutions, the Arab peace initiative and the (U.S.- proposed) road map.

"Peace also requires more intensive efforts by the International Quartet to ensure total Israeli pullout from the Arab territories that have been occupied since the 1967 war, including the Syrian Golan Heights.

"The efforts should focus also on restoring the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people including the right to establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital," HH the Emir went on to say.

Meanwhile, he hailed the recent accord signed, by the Palestinian faction leaders in Sanaa under Yemeni mediation, voicing hope that the deal would restore Palestinian national unity.

Regarding the Iraqi and the Lebanese crises, HH the Emir said: "We keep following up with grave concern the tragic developments of the situations in brotherly Iraq.

"We sincerely hope that security and political and economic stability will be restored to Iraq as early as possible.

"We reiterate condemnation of all forms of terrorism that only reaps the lives of innocent people and call on all sons of Iraq to mend their rifts and restore their national unity.

"We also call for respect for Iraq's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and Arab Muslim identity.

"We back all Arab efforts aimed to restore security and stability to Iraq in line with resolutions of previous Arab summits and Iraq's neighbor meetings.

"In this context we reassert the importance of the expanded Iraq's neighbor meeting to be hosted by Kuwait on April 22. Kuwait is committed to support the brotherly people of Iraq under the current hardships.

"We hope that Lebanon will be able to restore its stability and the Lebanese (party leaders) will head to the voice of wisdom and put their national interests above all considerations.

"We hope they will respond positively to the Arab initiative for Lebanon in order to enable their country regain its strength and resume its vital role in the regional security and stability.

"While in Damascus as guest of the Syrian wise leaders and generous people, we have high expectations of Syrian active role in restoring national accord among the Lebanese leaders on the basis of the Arab initiative and in facilitating the presidential vote.

"We hail, in this context, the leading role being played by the Arab League and its secretary general (Amr Moussa).

"As for the Iranian nuclear program, we call on Iran, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and all concerned world powers to continue their constructive and substantive dialogue in order to reach a peaceful solution of the issue and remove all ambiguities related to the program.

"Regarding the global war against terrorism, we renew commitment to that war since the terrorist phenomenon targets innocent lives and hinder development of our societies.

Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali expressed his appreciation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, for his contribution during his chairmanship of the last summit in activating the joint Arab action ad defending the nation's issues.

President Ben Ali pointed out to the delicate regional and international efforts that coincide with the Summit, underlining the challenges facing the Arab nation that require careful discussion and coordination to overcome them.

The President stressed the Palestinian cause priority, particularly at a time Israel has been escalating its attacks on the Palestinian people and imposing siege on them. He underlined the need to support the Palestinian people and take a decisive stance to help them overcome their ordeal and restore their rights, calling on the international community to provide protection to the Palestinian people immediately.

He also called for reviving the peace process and resuming talks according to principles of international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative.

The President affirmed his country's support of the Iraqi people's struggle to overcome their difficulties, restore their security and sovereignty, and rebuild a unified country.

President Ben Ali concluded by pointing out to the encouraging achievements in revitalizing Arab joint work and pushing development and modernization in the Arab nation forward.

Egypt hoped that the Damascus Arab Summit could have been held at a better time to guarantee it the success that the Arab people had been looking forward to, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said.

It hoped that a long-awaited settlement for the Lebanese political crisis could have been achieved prior to the summit, But alas, the crisis still exists, threatening the sisterly country's security and stability and endangering its sovereign right to make its choices as any free and independent state, Mubarak said in his address to the inaugural session of the summit that was read out on his behalf by Mofeed Shehab, Egypt's Minister of State for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and the Egyptian chief delegate to the Arab Summit.

Till the very last moment, Egypt kept holding on to hope that a new Lebanese president would fill Lebanon's empty seat at this summit and that the Lebanese would be reconciled and eventually reunited. It hoped that the Lebanese would "put aside their differences to work hand in hand, with our blessing and support, for confronting their internal and foreign policy problems," Mubarak said.

Settling the Lebanese debacle requires the full implementation of the Arab Initiative, which Egypt shared in floating, to encourage the conflicting Lebanese parties to quickly elect a consensual president to pave the way for forming a national unity government and writing a new election law and respects the delicate power equation in Lebanon as embodied in Taif Accord, he said.

The Palestinian problem is passing through a new and dangerous juncture, Mubarak said warning that the increasing brutality and cruelty of the Israeli occupation and the mounting Israeli suppressive and arbitrary measures are stifling all the hopes that Annapolis peace conference had once rekindled.

Israel must understand that the real and only way for it to ever lead a normal life inside the Middle East region is through accepting a just settlement for the Palestinian problem, allowing the Palestinians to have an independent state with Al-Quds (east Jerusalem) as its capital and freeing occupied Syrian and Lebanese lands, the Egyptian leader said.

The concept of peace between the Arabs and Israelis is wider and deeper than to be only put into a limited security framework, he said addressing Israel. Israel must learn that its mass punitive measures, expansionist activities, wall-building, barricades, sieges and incursions would not bring it peace. It must realize once and for all that the security Israel is eager to get is a way different from the peace the Arabs have meant, Mubarak said. He said that Israel should stop being so narrow-minded about its concept of security for its security-oriented measures are breeding nothing but trouble. Israel must be brought to understand that its heavy-handedness, its unfairness and its persecutions are feeding an endless vortex of terror and bloodletting, he warned.

President Mubarak urged the Palestinians to reunite and shun their differences. Unity is the only way for the Palestinians to restore their rights and establish their independent state, he said.

He promised continued Egyptian efforts to realize just and all-out peace in the Middle East. Egypt will also do its utmost to realize a truce between the Palestinians and Israelis, Mubarak pledged.

Egypt is keen on the unity and stability of Iraq, the Egyptian leader also said noting that Egypt supports all efforts that aim at ending sectarian divisions and halting violence in Iraq.

He called for doubling efforts to improve inter-Arab relations and revive the joint Arab action asking Syria, in its capacity as chairman of the summit, to lead efforts to iron out Arab differences, serve Arab higher interests and fulfill Arab people's hopes and aspirations.

In a speech distributed at the Arab Summit, Algerian President Abdulaziz Bouteflika expressed gratitude to King Abdullah for his contribution during his chairmanship of the last summit in activating the joint Arab action ad defending the nation's issues.

President Bouteflika underlined the dangerous circumstances facing the Arab nation and their negative results, which are reflected through attempts to form strategic groups and coalitions to control decision making in the service of personal interests.

He called for focusing on elements that bring the Arab people together, and to make solidarity a tangible matter that enables the Arab nation to continue the process of reform and development to achieve sustainable development and build advanced societies.

The Algerian President affirmed that peace is the strategic choice and that the Arabs adopted the Peace Initiative, condemning the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people and the Security Council's failure regarding them. He called on the Palestinian parties to resume dialogue to reach consensus and unite their people.

President Bouteflika pointed out that there are no signs of fulfilling promises made at Annapolis, with Israel going further in its disregard for international legitimacy, adding that talk of establishing a Palestinian state this year is only an attempt to get more concessions from the Arabs.

"Collective punishment is forbidden in international law. We demands that the international community move quickly to protect the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and lift the siege imposed on them," the President said.

Regarding Iraq, President Bouteflika expressed great concerns over the latest developments there, affirming his support to the Palestinian people and the efforts for ending their suffering, removing occupation, and preserving integrity and sovereignty.

On Lebanon, the President stressed the need to implement the Arab League plan. He also pointed out to Sudan's efforts for handling the Darfur issue.

President Bouteflika concluded by stating that Algeria supports the nuclear disarmament in the region without ignoring the countries' rights to use nuclear energy for peaceful objectives.

Russia calls for preserving unity and territorial integrity of Iraq and restoring the country's sovereignty in full upon completion of the military presence, President Vladimir Putin said.

"I don't doubt that the final solution of the Iraqi problem is possible by reaching national reconciliation and accord, and taking into account the interests of all ethnic and confessional groups and influential political forces in the country," Putin said in a greetings message circulated by the Kremlin press service, addressed participants in a conference of the heads of state and government of the League of Arab States.

Putin denounced any foreign interference in Lebanon, in a message addressed to delegates at the Arab League summit in the Syrian capital Damascus.

"A particularly urgent task is to maintain the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of Lebanon, which must be protected from any foreign interference," he said, in a statement released by the Kremlin.

Syria, with whom Russia has had close relations dating back to the Soviet era, has repeatedly been accused of interfering in Lebanon's affairs.

Lebanon had been trying since November 24 to elect a new president but the differences between the pro- and anti-Syrian factions in the country has led to the worst political crisis there since the 1975-1990 civil war.

The ruling parliamentary majority in Lebanon, backed by the U.S., western powers and most Arab countries, have accused Syria of trying to destabilize the country.

In his message to the Arab League, Putin said: "We support the initiative of your influential organization concerning the settlement of the Lebanese question."

The Arab League has put its weight behind efforts to end the deadlock over the election of a president there and backs the formation of a government of national unity.

Meanwhile, Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a periodic press briefing.

At the outset of the briefing, Prince Saud delivered the following press statement:

In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

In its recent meeting, the Council of Ministers underscored very clearly the policy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is based on the principles of truthfulness and transparency in dealing with Arab and Islamic issues, commitment to covenants and pledges, giving precedence to national Arab interest over foreign alliances, and capitalizing on international relations to serve crucial Arab causes. This policy is based on the Kingdom's keenness to promote the Arab solidarity according to the document of covenant and solidarity sanctioned by the Arab leaders at Tunis summit.

The recent Saudi political effort within the Arab League and on the Arab and international arenas focused on this framework. The Kingdom has been looking forward to Damascus summit to achieve these goals. However, what we have so far regrettably observed through the circumstances connected to the summit, that they are not suggestive of this desired or hoped results.

The Palestinian issue remains the crucial Arab cause, which has most of the attention and tireless efforts of the government of Saudi Arabia to reinstate the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people on the basis of international legitimacy and resolutions, and the Arab peace initiative. While this issue is plagued with international dimensions and complications due to Israeli foreign occupation of the Arab territories, and requires redoubled efforts on the international arena, the problem of Lebanon could be a model to resolve the crisis within the Arab house. Particularly as the Arab League has reached an integrated and balanced plan to solve crisis that responds to demands of all Lebanese parties and achieves balance amongst themselves, away from control of the decision-making or halting it by the parliamentary majority or minority. The initiative received full Arab unanimity without exception, including Syria. The initiative also enjoyed widespread international support by virtue of the tireless efforts of the Kingdom and its Arab brethren on the international arena. An objective of these efforts is to distance Lebanon from any outside interventions that would complicate the situation.

Unfortunately, on the other hand, there were attempts to disrupt the Arab solution in Lebanon, and even to further consolidate foreign interference there. Such attempts started since the assassination of Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, then the assassinations that followed targeting the same faction, and then the resignation of ministers in the Lebanese government, in an attempt to strip off its legitimacy, and working to incite and acting on freezing Lebanon's constitutional institutions including parliament without any constitutional or legal ground.

Since the beginning of the crisis, Saudi Arabia has tried diligently to reach a compromise that preserves the interests of everybody, and capitalized on its impact on the Lebanese arena by virtue of its membership in the tripartite committee formed by the Arab summit to stop the Lebanese civil war, the Kingdom's sponsoring of Taif agreement, the Saudi continuous economic support for Lebanon and its reconstruction, and based on our national Arab duty towards a brotherly Arab state. All these efforts have been done without any hidden agenda or plans on the part of the Kingdom. Our motives are only that Lebanon overcomes its ordeal, and achieves its security, stability, and prosperity.

From the beginning, the Kingdom has been keen in its movement to maintain the same distance from all Lebanese parties, and urge them to adopt dialogue and concord, and to give precedence to the national interest over narrow factional ones. The Kingdom even exerted efforts to persuade the majority group in the government side to respond once and again to any positive proposals made by the opposition group forwarded by Mr. Nabih Berri, as the representative of the opposition then. However, each time a solution is accepted, another refusal gets matters back to the starting point.

Regretfully, the same attitude continued in dealing with the Arab initiative, both in halting what is agreed upon, or firmly establishing external influence on the Lebanese arena at the expense of the highest interests of Lebanon, which have full Arab support. It is noted that there is no logic or understood justification for disrupting the initiative which satisfies the demands of all parties by immediately electing a President, the formation of a national unity government, acting to draft a new law for elections and holding parliamentary elections on an agreed date. It is regrettable that this did not stop only at disrupting the initiative approved with Arab unanimity, but went further to the flagrant attack by some Lebanese factions against the Arab League, the most important Arab constitutional institution, in disrespect of the Arab League, its position, other Arab constitutional institutions and undermining its role in promoting and developing the joint Arab action.

This attack calls for a firm stand to give our Arab constitutional institutions back their respect and maintain their credibility. The Arab League primarily constitutes a unique alliance between its members and a symbol that should not be transgressed upon. This urges us to adopt the same firm policies of other corresponding international political institutions which impose deterrent penalties in the event of disruption or failure to implement any of its unanimous resolutions. This action will enable us to restore respect for our Arab institutions, and assure their peoples and countries that they will be standing by their legitimate causes.

It goes without saying that attempts to disrupt solutions in Lebanon, ignoring the Arab League resolutions are the same attempts trying clearly and tangibly to deepen the Palestinian rift, disrupt political solutions in Iraq, and tamper with Arab causes in general.

In spite of this, the Kingdom has been keen to participate in the Damascus summit event at the minimum level to boost Arab solidarity, especially as the Kingdom has not previously boycotted an Arab summit. The level of representation of the Kingdom at the summit is attributed to the unfortunate circumstances to which I have referred, and to the Kingdom's conviction that the approach adopted in dealing with the Arab issues to be considered by conference will not be leading to an Arab reunion and will not achieve its solidarity, especially at this critical and dangerous juncture through which the Arab nation is passing, and the challenges it is facing.

However, I hope that I am wrong in my discretion. I hope that the summit would come up with a solution to the Lebanese crisis in accordance with the initiative of the Arab League, which its Secretary-General exerted substantial efforts trying to implement the initiative with the Lebanese parties. We still expect from Damascus, where the Summit is held, a positive movement on the Lebanese arena to implement the initiative, to complement to the tireless efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a number of Arab States. We also hope that the summit will succeed in patching up the Arab rift, closing the ranks and giving precedence to the national Arab interest over foreign interests.

It is my pleasure to take your questions.

Responding to a question on reports in Syrian circles that the reduction of the rate of representation of a number of Arab countries at Damascus summit such as Egypt, Jordan and Yemen resulted from Saudi pressure, Prince Saud said," These states are independent. I do not think that they pursue a policy of any other state. I think that this accusation is ignominious with regard to these states. We do not accept, nor will we accept such an insult to any Arab country".

On Palestinian affairs, Prince Saud praised the efforts of Yemen regarding the Palestinians and its initiative to bridge the rift between Fatah and Hamas movements, saying," We hope that the summit will adopt the initiative. Yemen is commendable for exerting all efforts of duty in this framework and for gathering brethren. Palestinians should recognize their interests, notice that their rift will dispel their interests, return to the right and reconcile with each other."

Commenting on the absence of almost half of Arab leaders from Damascus summit and whether this action is for isolating Syria, Prince Saud said, '' I have not felt from any Arab parties a desire to isolate Syria, but on the contrary. . Syria is one among important states in the region. Of course, it concerns all Arab countries that Syria should be in the framework of joint Arab action. In this context, I said that the problem is that what had been unanimously endorsed at the Arab League, including Syria, has not been implemented in the measures taken later on the ground."

Prince Saud stressed that he has never seen an attempt from any Arab party to isolate Syria, affirming that Syria can not be isolated. He added, "Syria is an Arab country in the heart of the Arab nation. We hope that Syria contributes and will be a basis for solving the Lebanese problem. We never look forward to isolating Syria or to any means that harm it". Replying to a question on forming a Troika Committee to find a plan for solving the Arab crisis, Prince Saud said," The problem is not in finding the means or formulas to solve the Arab problem, but the problem is that these states having problems among them should have a desire to solve problems among each other and accept mediations in this framework. The problem should be considered from these two points. Setting frameworks for solution by the Arab League to form a troika or a committee is easy to reach, but finding political convictions and political will to the parties having conflicts among each other is the matter that should be considered."

In reply to a question on possible means of keeping respect for constitutional institutions and the response to any attack on the Arab League which mentioned in the covenant document adopted in Tunisia, Prince Saud said," As for other institutions, if a decision was unanimously taken without implementation from any party, there would be deterrent measures for this action. But if we continue taking decisions without implementation, and the situation continues as it is, the institution will lose its seriousness. The League is different from other institutions as it is a full alliance among certain parties. The alliance states that we all seek for the security of each other. This is one of the most elements of cooperation and solidarity among nations. If it is so, then its weakening will undoubtedly weaken the national security of the Arab nation. This is our league, how we seek to weaken it by our hands. There are those who try to weaken it, but if the tool in performing this is an Arab hand, I believe that this can not be acceptable or reasonable and can not be accepted in the Arab nation."

As for the results of visits by officials of Saudi Arabia before the summit to support joint Arab action, Prince Saud said," Of course, they failed and have not yielded a solution despite the calls by the Arab states, but unfortunately the solution did not come."

In response to a question about his opinion on transferring the Lebanese crisis to the Security Council, Prince Saud said," We believe that this problem must be solved within the Arab framework. As I stated at the outset, the Palestinian problem has been complicated to the extent that the foreign occupation is present and International parties have been involved. The Lebanese problem can be solved in the Arab framework. It must be solved in the Arab framework as it does not need foreign interference. There is an Arab initiative unanimously accepted by all Arab countries, without exception. It meets all demands. We are wondering. This initiative is present and it meets the demands of all parties. In the past, the parties protested according to the pretext of minority that the majority dominates everything and takes decisions without consideration of the minority. The minority demands the right of halting and the majority rejects this halting. The Arab initiative came to solve the problem, which disrupted work in Lebanon aiming to meet the demands of the minority including early elections because they think they will win the elections. The initiative brings elections and early elections. What is the problem that prevents its acceptance? There is no logic in the matter, rather than escalation is intended for escalation and for purposes rather than the Lebanese and Arab interests."

Regarding the demand of Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Al-Siniora to hold a meeting of Arab foreign ministers, Prince Saud said," If the summit ends without a solution to the problem of Lebanon, will the crisis be left for escalation until Lebanon is divided and afflicted with a new disaster. I think this is unacceptable for any Arab quarter. We heard that there are two proposals: one proposal of Premier Al-Siniora and the other of the Secretary General of the Arab League. One demands a meeting of the Arab League at the ministerial level and the other demands an extraordinary Arab summit to consider the problem of Lebanon. I do not know which solution will find its way, but in any case, the problem can not remain unresolved."

Asked on his vision for the future of the Arab situation, currently appears in a grim image and how the Arab countries can face the challenges ahead, Prince Saud said," This is the problem of the Arab nation. It is hoped by Arab summits to seek for closing and uniting the ranks and yielding a unified position. Consequently, there have been always attempts for success of the previous summits. Such attempts for success had been achieved by deleting outstanding issues before the summit so that the summit can consider its future. We do not find this spirit in the summit that took place and therefore there was absence and reduction of representation. There is no doubt that the matter needs a step by the Arab states to restore cohesion. But if the Arab countries have been divided and at many times darkness seems as surrounding the Arab nation, then at a moment, the ranks are unified. Perhaps this is the matter of Arabs. They are either divided or united. There is no compromise. We hope success for the summit sincerely and truthfully. We hope the summit's success in solving the Lebanese problem or in bridging the Arab rift. If the summit doesn't yield this action, then the Arab states should have another measure to close and unite the ranks."

In response to a question about the creation of an executive council in the Arab League to resolve outstanding issues before the Arab summits, the Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed to the covenant document adopted by the Arab summit in Tunisia, indicating that it included many elements in this regard. He added, "If we commit to it, Arab states will have a specific approach to consider the problems that hinder our march of reviewing the resulted differences. There are ways lacked by Arab action namely implementation. The implementation should be according to a political decision. Therefore we stated that other institutions have found that no credibility and seriousness in the implementation must be faced with a treatment. Call them sanctions or measures. But if there is unanimity on a plan which is not implemented by one or two states, then there should be deterrent measures for this thing, otherwise the situation will not be right and there will be no seriousness in the Arab action".

Commenting on a question about holding Arab summits periodically in one place at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, and the possibility of success with this proposal, Prince Saud said, "The experiment has not been implemented. There is a specific proposal from sisterly Yemen. Yemen also has submitted the initiative of a periodical summit. These are two proposals from the same country. One of them succeeded and the other if succeeded, it is hoped to achieve the purpose. But this does not prevent saying that political will should be available to Arab states so that our decisions will be successful.

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora blamed Syria for his country's prolonged political crisis in a televised speech on the eve of an Arab summit in Damascus set to focus on the issue.

Lebanon has had a presidential void for more than four months," Siniora said. "Before and during that period Syria played a leading role to exacerbate the crisis... interfering in Lebanon's internal affairs and blocking the election of the consensus candidate to the presidency." Siniora said his government had decided to boycott the annual gathering because of Syrian meddling in Lebanese affairs. He said the presidential vacuum was clear evidence of such interference.

He urged Arab League foreign ministers to hold a special meeting as soon as possible to help repair tense Lebanese-Syrian relations, and said his government was keen on establishing diplomatic relations with Damascus.

"The Lebanese government stresses once again its desire to establish healthy, brotherly relations with Syria based on mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and independence," Siniora said.

He added that the border between the two countries needed to be clearly defined, and called on Syria to cooperate with the Lebanese government in dealing with the disarmament of factions operating outside Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.

"In light of Syria's links to Palestinian factions... we call on the Syrian authorities to cooperate in disarming military bases outside the camps and to help deal with the issue of weapons inside the Palestinian camps," he said.

Based on the Lebanese magazine al-Afkar.