Arab Foreign Ministers conclude session

Cairo, September 09, SPA -- Arab foreign ministers ended here on
Monday their 130th session under the chairmanship of Prince Saud
al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister.


The Saudi delegation to the meeting was led by Prince Turki bin
Mohammed bin Saud al-Kabeer, the Undersecretary of the foreign
ministry for multi-party relations.


Addressing a press conference along with Arab League Secretary
General, Prince Saud al-Faisal expressed happiness for the
participation of Mahmoud Abbas, the Head of the Palestinian National
Authority, in the session.


He noted that Abbas had spoken about the Palestinian-Israeli
negotiations and the internal Palestinian situation.


Prince Saud said deliberations at the session had reflected the
concern of the Arab League's Council about the Israeli settlement
policy and its impact on the peace process as well as on the safety
of the Palestinian territories and their legal status.


He noted that the settlement policy threatens the establishment of
the independent Palestinian state which is capable of survival, and
urged the international community to take a firm measure against the
Israeli expansion policy which contradicts with the resolutions of
the international legitimacy and the peaceful efforts in the region.


Prince Saud said the disunity of the Palestinians was one of the
major topics discussed by the session which underlined the importance
of taking a firm stand to end blood shedding.


The session pointed out to the serious initiatives to end the
dispute including Makkah agreement, Yemen agreement as well as the
initiative of Egypt.


Prince Saud hoped that that the concerned parties would seriously
deal with the initiative because it constitutes a sincere trend.


He reiterated that the Arab League’s Council has decided not to
stand indifferently as regards the dispute which might undermine the
Palestinian legal rights and encourage Israel to go ahead on its
aggressive policy in addition to deepening the suffering of the
Palestinians.


He pointed out that Madrid declaration on dialogue among followers
of religions and cultures was one of the topics discussed at the
meeting.


He noted that the council has adopted the noble principles mentioned
in the declaration.


Prince Saud said that the council had reviewed other topics
including the Iranian occupation of the UAE's islands, the situation
in Iraq, Sudan and Somalia as well as the dangers of proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction on the Arab national security, in
addition to international terrorism and other topics pertaining to
the joint Arab work.


Prince Saud said the Arabs hold no grudge against Iran, and they view
it as a neighboring Muslim country, and subsequently they are keen on
settling any problem with it through peaceful means.


"These islands are UAE's islands, and the date of their occupation
is well known, " he said noting that the Arab countries have been
supporting the UAE's stand in this respect as they did during this
session.


On the Council's stand vis-à-vis the Palestinian disunity; he said
the responsibility should be shouldered by the Palestinians.


He noted that fighting each other will harm their cause.


"I have never seen in the history that a liberation front owns three
or four armies with conflicting factions while they are facing the
enemy, he said, adding that it is an essential matter for the Arab
countries and the Palestinians too to tackle the problem plainly and
frankly.


Prince Saud lauded the support extended by the Arab countries to the
Palestinians.
Egypt has made a lot sacrifices for the sake of the Palestinian
cause, he noted.


Prince Saud urged the Palestinians, irrespective of ideological or
non-ideological justifications, to focus on their cause because the
matter is not struggling for power but it is how to reach the desired
goals by the best possible means as well as setting a perfect
strategy to reach these goals.


Prince Saud said the Arabs don't feel sorry because they went to
Annapolis conference, adding that 'we went there with a clear and
firm stand which we agreed on.
We went there because we wanted confirmation for suspension of
settlements and confirmation that the peace would not become mere
endless negotiations.
So if a party is to feel sorry for going to Annapolis, it is the
other party which has failed to fulfill its promise.


On his part, Amr Mousa, Arab League's Secretary General, said
Annapolis is inching towards failure because it has not led to the
desired outcome.


He noted that the Arab League treats equally the Palestinian
organizations.


Mousa said the Arab countries will not stand indifferently vis-à-vis
the Palestinian disunity, adding that the Arab League is considering
the measures which should be taken to end the current Palestinian
chaos within the framework of the Arab system.
He said sanctions will be imposed on the Palestinian faction which
impedes the march of reconciliation.


Sanctions may be imposed on all organizations or on the organization
which blocks the current Egyptian efforts which aim at
reconciliation, he elaborated.


Mousa said the Council has asked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in its
capacity as the chairman of this session, to call for convening of
the Security Council at the level of foreign ministers to review the
issue of the settlement.


Mousa pointed out that the council was briefed on the Palestinian-
Israeli negotiations.


He noted that Israel has been trying to make demographic changes in
the Palestinian territories.