President calls Islamic summit on Gaza

SANA'A, Jan. 17 (Saba) - At a meeting with the Iranian Minister of Housing and Urban
Development Mohammad Saeedi-Kia, President Ali Abdullah Saleh called an Islamic
summit Saturday to discuss possible actions by Arab and Muslim states to support the
Palestinian people in the war-ravaged Gaza strip.

The meeting with the Iranian president's envoy focused on Israel's offensive in the
Palestinian strip of Gaza as well as means of coordination between the two countries
within their ongoing efforts to stop the Israeli sea, air and ground assaults
against the strip.

There was an assertion that a one and a half year blockade on the strip be lifted by
Israel. President Saleh also called on Arab and Muslim countries to open the door
for those who like to fight for the Gazans voluntarily.

Iranian Minister of Housing and Urban Development Mohammad Saeedi-Kia arrived in
Yemen Friday carrying letter to president Saleh from his Iranian Counterpart.

FR