September 17, 2004

THE GCC MINISTERIAL COUNCIL STRESSES THE ARAB STATUS OF AL QUDS AND WARNS THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION AUTHORITIES OF INCURRING ANY þDAMAGES TO AL-AQSA MOSQUE. THE COUNCIL CALLS UPON THE US ADMINISTRATION TO COMPEL ISRAEL TO THE ROAD MAP AND TO WITHDRAW FROM ALL ARAB OCCUPIED TERRITORIES. ARAB FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING IN CAIRO CONDEMN THE TERRORIST ACTS IN IRAQ AND STRESS LEBANON'S RIGHT TO ENHANCE ITS RELATIONS WITH SYRIA AND THE ARAB COUNTRIES. The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) wrapped up its 92nd session at the Conferences Palace in Jeddah. In a final communiqué, the ministers of foreign affairs representing the six-member group in addition to the Secretary General of the GCC Abdul Rahman Ibn Hamad Alatiyyah, reviewed a package of regional and international issues of concern to the member countries. The meeting reviewed reports submitted by the economical, commercial, cultural, defense, political, and social committees and took the relevant decisions. The council also reviewed the results of a task group between the GCC and Yemen to discuss matters of mutual benefit. The meeting was briefed on the positive developments taking place between the GCC on one hand and similar economic, political and trade blocs in the world. The GCC approved that Iraq re-join the Gulf Soccer Championship, effective the next tournament scheduled for Doha, Qatar, in December 2004. The communiqué reiterated the Arab Gulf countries stand on the issues of the three Iran-occupied UAE islands of Tumb Alkubra, Tumb Alsughra and Abumusa. The GCC countries are closely following the serious developments in Palestinian territories and do call for the reactivation of the road map, and the Arab peace initiative and also call for coercing Israel to give up the tactics aiming at buying time at the expense of Arab and Palestinian vital interests, the statement said. It also called on the world community to make the Middle East free of mass destruction weapons, and to compel Israel to join the NPT and avail all its nuclear facilities for international inspection. On Iraq, the communiqué noted with concern the developments in this neighboring country. However, the Council noted with satisfaction the peaceful end of Alnajaf dilemma, hoping that it would be a prelude to sustaining order, stability and security. The Council condemned the recently-revealed flagrant breaches of human rights committed in Iraq by the former regime, calling on the International Committee of the Red Cross and the sub-tripartite committee for searching for the missing and prisoners of war to also work for the repatriation of Kuwait's robbed cultural properties. The Communiqué welcomed the steps taken by Sudan government to contain the situation in Darfur. Expressing satisfaction over efforts and measures taken to combat terrorism world-wide, the Council lauded the strenuous and successful efforts exerted by the Saudi security authorities resulting in foiling a number of terrorist plots and the arrest of a number of terrorist leaders over the last few weeks. In this regard, the Council reiterated its denunciation of the capture of French journalists and Italian citizens in Iraq, the bloodshed caused by the terrorist siege of North Ossetia school in Russia and the explosion that ripped the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, killing and injuring tens of the innocent. The communiqué expressed support for the Yemeni government's handling of the terrorist acts in Saada. The GCC member states vowed support for the nomination of the Kingdom of Bahrain for the rotating presidency of the General Assembly of the United Nations during the 61st session in September 2006 and the nomination of Qatar for the membership of the Security Council for 2006. The council also vowed support for the candidacy of Saudi Arabia's representative Jamil Ibrahim Alhujailan for the post of Director General of the Paris-based Arab World Institute. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers council vehemently denounced the Israeli aggression þagainst the Palestinian people and condemned, at the end of its 92nd session þmeetings, the killing and house demolition operations carried by the Israeli occupational forces on a daily basis in the Palestinian territories.þ þ The Council's communique showed the GCC states concerns regarding the þdeterioration of condition in the Palestinian territories, and the Israeli þinsistence on adopting unilateral policies, and also denounced the calls by þIsraeli extremists to attack the Moslems' holy Aqsa Mosque and the Israeli þgovernment plans to construct a new settlement in eastern Jerusalem and þannexing a number of Palestinian villages by extending the Israeli separating þ þwall around them.þ þþ The communique warned Israeli occupation authorities of incurring any þdamages to the Aqsa Mosque.þ þþ It also said the Israeli attempts to change the Arab identity of the þ þJerusalem and construction of the Israeli separating wall and settlements in the West bank constitute a clear challenge to Moslems.þ þþ It called on the international community, the UN secretary-general and the international Human Rights Watch to consider the condition of the Palestinian þPOWs and held Israel fully responsible for human rights violations being an occupation force of Arab lands. þþ It also renewed Arabs commitment to the Arab peace initiative and þ þthe road map to peace plan and to the role of the Quartet committee to reach a þjust and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.þ þþ It also called on the US administration to press on Israel to show þ þcommitment to the Arab peace initiative, and withdraw from all Arab occupied lands to the pre-1967 lines.þ þþ The GCC also denounced the Israeli threats to Syria and said they further þworsen conditions in the area, and called on the International community to þpress on Israel to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and subject its þ nuclear facilities to inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency þIAEA).þ þþ The GCC ministerial council has also debated the conditions on the troubled Sudanese region of Darfur and welcomed the Sudanese relevant steps and the UN security council resolution 1556.þ þþ It voiced support for the African Union efforts to resolve the crisis in þ þcooperation with Sudanese government and called for allowing more time to the Sudanese government to handle the issue.þ þþ The council also voiced support for Yemen in its efforts to combat þ þterrorism and said the GCC efforts on that regard will continue, and showed þ relief for the Saudi Authorities success in undermining many terror plots.þ þþ The GCC also renewed condemnation for the terror attacks in any spot in the world including the killing of people taken hostage in Iraq and the kidnapping of French journalists and Italian citizens in Iraq, and the incidents in a þBeslan school in northern Ossetia, and the bombing of the Australian embassy þin Indonesia. þ The GCC ministerial council, at the conclusion of its 92nd session, praised þa recent visit to China by a GCC delegation -- during which a framework agreement for economic and technical cooperation was signed.þ þþ The council praised two other identical accords that had been reached with þPakistan and India, as a prelude to holding negotiations on the establishment þof a free trade zone, to be held on sidelines of the coming UN General Assembly session, scheduled in New York on September 17.þ þþ The council also reviewed activities of various affiliate commissions. þ The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states renewed þ þtheir full support and firm stand regarding the United Arab Emirates' sovereignty over its three islands occupied by Iran.þ þþ The declaration came upon concluding meetings of the 92nd session of the þGCC Ministerial Council's two-day meeting for Gulf Foreign Ministers, chaired þ by the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Dr. Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.þ þþ The Ministerial Council confirmed that the UAE is has sovereignty over the three islands; Greater and Lesser Tumbs and Abu Moussa, their regional waters þas well as the air space as they are an integral part of the UAE.þ þþ The Council expressed sorrow for the absence of any positive outcome from þthe contacts conducted with Iran on the three islands' issue to contribute in solving the dispute, and enhancing security and stability in the region, þhoping that the current contacts would lead to positive outcome.þ þþ It called for employing all peaceful means that might lead to restoring the þUAE's right over its three islands. þ The Final Communique of the GCC Foreign þMinisters' 92nd session urged the international community þand peace-loving nations to lend a helping hand to Iraq and efforts to restore þits stability and security.þ It voiced anew þcondemnation of all terrorist acts and human rights violations committed against Iraqis and against Kuwait at the hands of the former Saddam regime.þ þþ The session extended condolences to the families of the martyrs whose names þhave been crossed out from the POWs list after their remains were identified. All concerned parties must bolster efforts to settle related humanitarian issues, including the POWs and martyrs issue and return of Kuwaiti archives and property, the ministers agreed.þ þþ The communique expressed appreciation for efforts of the Red Cross and the Tripartite Committee to ascertain the identities of victims and locate the þremains of missing Kuwaitis and other nationals.þ þþ The communique also expressed satisfaction over the peaceful settlement of the Najaf crisis in Iraq, which is a prelude to restoring the state's þ stability and unity to enable progress towards prosperity.þ þ On the other hand Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council þAbdul Rahman Al-Attiyah called on the international community to exert pressure on Israel to allow international inspectors examine its nuclear þ installations.þ þþ Speaking at a news conference with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister, also Chairman of the current ministerial session of the GCC, Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah þAl-Salem Al-Sabah, Al-Atiah said the GCC states have repeatedly called for rendering the Middle East a nuclear-free zone.þ þþ He stressed on the necessity that Israeli joins the Nuclear þ þNon-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and subjecting its nuclear installations to the þinternational inspection of the IAEA.þ þþ He called on Iran to respond to the calls of the GCC states for settling þthe issue of the three UAE islands, Greater and Lesser Tumb and Abu Moussa. þ þ The 92nd session of the ministerial council of the Gulf Cooperation Council had began in Riyadh. þ The session was chaired by Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al Salem Alsabah, the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister, and attended by GCC foreign ministers. þ In a speech, the Kuwaiti minister condemned the terrorist acts taking place in Iraq and said terrorist acts taking place in the world and the region constitute a grave danger which should be eliminated. þ On the Palestinian issue, he expressed support for the Palestinian people calling for adherence to the Arab Peace Initiative. þ Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah confirmed the importance of establishing þeconomic relations that connect GCC states with countries of the world.þ þ Sheikh Mohammad welcomed in a speech delivered during the inauguration of the 92nd session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)'s Ministerial Council as chairman of the current session, the council's signing of a cooperation þagreement in the economic, commercial, and investment aspects between the GCC states and China, which was signed by the Kuwaiti Finance Minister when he þ þaccompanied Sheikh Sabah in his recent Asian tour.þ þþ Sheikh Mohammd hailed the outcome of his visit to India and Pakistan in August, in which he signed an agreement of economic cooperation between the GCC states, India and Pakistan, as well as negotiating establishing a free trade zone between the GCC states, India and Pakistan.þ þþ The Kuwaiti Foreign Minister reconfirmed the GCC states' support of the Iraqi people to preserve Iraq's unity and stability, expressing happiness at þforming the Iraqi National Council.þ þþþ Sheikh Mohammad condemned the terrorist operations taking place þ þin Iraq, which resulted the killing of innocent people and terrified þ þcivilians, indicating that Islam condemns such acts as it is a religion of þtolerance.þ þþ He announced the GCC states' participation in the regional and þ þinternational efforts which aim to restore security and stability in Iraq and þthe Council's readiness to help putting an end to the never-ending circle of þ violence in Iraq.þ þþþ On the Israeli aggressive policies and practices against the Palestinian þpeople Sheikh Mohammad re-confirmed the GCC's support and solidarity with the Palestinian people to end their suffering.þ þþþ The Kuwaiti foreign minister called for committing to the Arab initiative to attain peace and to activate the role of the quartet committee, demanding the international community to stop the Israeli aggression, and dismantle the þsecurity wall to attain justice.þ þþ þFollowing Sheikh Mohammad's speech, the inaugurating session of the 92nd session of the GCC Ministerial Council turned into a closed session. þþ Speaking to reporters ahead of his departure, Sheikh Mohammad highlighted the importance of such meetings drawing attention to the conditions in þneighboring Iraq, "which has a legitimate government assigned to secure the country, and put into effect the political road map clearly specified by the þUN Security Council resolution 1546."þ þþþ The Kuwaiti leading official affirmed that the GCC "supported such þ þresolution, and also the Iraqi legitimate government so as to secure a safe transition into a more politically stable era," he added.þ þþþ He said the Jeddah ministerial meetings were part of series of Arab foreign ministers meetings to be later held in Cairo, then in the US city of New York.þ þþþ He added the meetings would focus on a number of basic political issues þ such as the Palestinian cause, the UAE islands, in addition to the security file and the terrorism issue, "which worries all, not only the GCC þcountries... and thanks to God our states have made big steps of þ inter-coordination to combat such a pest," he went on.þ þþþ The minister also said the GCC countries were keen on the creation of þeconomic bridges with the world countries, noting that economy was being given þpriority at the current time. þ þþ þSheikh Mohammad referred to the recently-signed framework þ þagreements between the GCC and China, India and Pakistan. He also noted that þ"more trade agreements will be signed before the end of the current year with þmany Arab countries and with the European Union."þ þþþ Asked about Kuwait's standing of the UN Security Council resolution 1559 þrelated to Lebanon, Sheikh Mohammed said that Kuwait respects all UN resolutions and they reflect the wish of the international community. þþ He also said that Kuwait supports Lebanon, noting this resolution was a continuation þof a previous one by the UN Security Council. But the minister said that he wanted to listen to the Lebanese regarding the resolution before taking any þstance, affirming that Kuwait's standing will always be supportive to Lebanon.þ þþþ The Kuwaiti official declined to comment on a question on the statements of þ the US official William Burns during his recent visit to Syria, and said the Arab ministerial meeting will give a chance for listening to the Syrian þforeign minister's evaluation of Burns' visit.þ þþþ He also highlighted that Syria had said the visit of Burns was positive.þ þþþ Asked if Kuwait has initiated any procedure to help the release of the þItalian women taken hostage in Iraq, Sheikh Mohammad condemned hostage-taking actions and said that Kuwait was working on its own through contacting friends þ in Iraq who share the same stance regarding such criminal actions. þþ He also þreferred to the recent release of seven employees of a Kuwaiti company in Iraq þ and hailed this company's efforts to release them. þþ The minister called for þ more support to the Iraqi government being the party responsible for restoring þsecurity and stability in Iraq. þþ Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah said the GCC countries would live up to their responsibilities relating to the international economy. þþ He told a joint news conference here, with the GCC Secretary-General Abdul-Rahman Al-Attiyah to mark the end of the Kuwait-headed GCC ministerial council's 92nd session, that the fluctuations in the international oil markets were not of the interest to the GCC countries, which are keen on the stability of such markets and have taken a decision to increase their oil production. þþ He also mentioned that the oil prices surge have benefited the gcc countries, but would have negative impact on the long-run. þþ Commenting on a Saudi suggestion to send Islamic troops to Iraq, which was not included in the GCC meeting Communique, Sheikh Mohammad said that the implementation of such a suggestion was stipulated by certain terms such as the submission of an official request by the Iraqi government to send Islamic troops to Iraq. þþ Asked about the compensation to be paid to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, the Kuwaiti official said such compensations were approved by the UN security council and were not an issue of dispute among the GCC countries. þþ He renewed the GCC support for the Iraqi interim government and for the Iraqi people in their efforts to restore stability, hold democratic elections and form a constitutionally elected government. þþ He also voiced the GCC countries support for the Sudanese government efforts to settle the Darfur region crisis. asked about the un security council resolution 1559 on Lebanon, the official said that such international resolutions have to be implemented. He cited un security council resolution 1425 which has also called for the pullout of all foreign troops out of Lebanon. þþ On his part, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Abdul Rahman Al-Attiyah called on the international community to exert pressure on Israel to allow international inspectors examine its nuclear installations. þþ Speaking at a news conference with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister, also chairman of the current ministerial session of the GCC, Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Al-Attiyah said the GCC states have repeatedly called for rendering the middle east a nuclear-free zone. þþ He stressed on the necessity that Israeli joins the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and subjecting its nuclear installations to the international inspection of the IAEA. þþ He called on Iran to respond to the calls of the GCC states for settling the issue of the three UAE islands, greater and lesser Tumbs and Abu Moussa. þþ On the other hand in Cairo the Arab League ministerial council last Tuesday affirmed Lebanon's rights of sovereignty and freedom of political decision making on the internal front.þ þþþ The council, in a statement expressed support for Lebanon's decision to bolster coordination with neighboring Syria and its struggle to liberate the remaining occupied territories, namely the frontier Shebaa farms.þ þþþ The Arab ministers, who held coordination talks, rejected the US þ þaccountibility law against Syria and urged Washington to review this law "that þis biased in favor of Israel."þ þþþ They appealed on the Security Council to call on Israel to stop threatening and violating the sovereignty of Lebanon and urged the international community þto offer compensations for Lebanon for the losses, inflicted as a result of þ Israel's recurring attacks.þ þþþ The Arab officials affirmed the right of Palestinians in diaspora to return home and called for holding an international conference on combating terrorism. þþ The Arab League's Ministerial Council condemned the serious human rights violations that occurred during the Iraqi þ invasion of Kuwait in 1990 and the hiding of information about the POW's and þ þmissing people, whose remains were found in mass graves in Iraq.þ þþþ The council, upon finalizing its meeting, expressed condolences to þ þthe families of the Kuwaitis whose remains were identified, expressed worry þfor the crisis of those still missing, and demanded more efforts to find the þfate of all the POWs and missing people.þ þþþ The council also supported the prosecution of those who committed crimes þagainst the Iraqi people and the neighboring countries by Iraqi courts and þIraqi laws.þ þþþ It reasserted the unity, solidarity, and the independence of Iraq, and þ þasserted that it will not intervene with Iraq's interior affairs and will þ þrespect the rights of the Iraqi people to define their own political future.þ þþþ It condemned all terror acts in Iraq that targeted civilians, security þ þauthorities, and humanitarian and religious establishments, and demanded the þworld and the UN to provide all kinds of support to the Iraqi government and people.þ þþ It also asserted the importance of the Arabian presence in Iraq, including the re-establishing of diplomatic relationships, but denied any plans to send Arab military forces to Iraq. þþ þThe Arab League ministerial council condemned all forms of terrorism namely the abduction and killing of people in þIraq and other countries.þ þþþ The council, in a statement released at its 122nd session, expressed þ þcondemnation of violent acts that target Iraqi civilians and undermine the interests of the Iraqi people.þ þþ It also denounced the takeover of a school in Ossetia, where many innocent people including children were killed by the gunmen who seized the school and voiced support for Yemen's war against terrorists. þþ The Arab League Council began in Cairo its 122nd session meetings on the level of the permanent representatives to discuss the articles on the agenda and prepare the draft resolutions to be submitted to the meeting of the Arab foreign ministers.þ þþþ The Mauritanian charge d'affaires, whose country is currently chairing the Arab League Council, stressed the importance of the Arab countries' þcooperation to confront many challenges facing the joint Arab march.þ þþþ The Moroccan representative and the former chairman of the council, Mohammed Al-Doukali stressed the importance of the issues discussed by the council, namely the conditions in Iraq and Sudan and the developments þregarding the Palestinian issue.þ þþþ The council's agenda included 20 articles over the political, security, þ þeconomic and social joint Arab work, especially the report of the secretary general over the reform and development in the Arab world, the development of þthe economic and social council and upgrading the joint Arab work system. þ þþ þþThe articles also included the Arab-Israeli conflict, activating þ þthe Arab peace initiative and following-up several Palestinian issues and the þ Israeli separation wall, in addition to the Golan Heights and the solidarity with Lebanon.þ þþþ The conditions in Iraq, the Iranian occupation of the three UAE islands, þthe measures taken against Libya due to the Lockerbie case and the US þsanctions on Syria were also issues to be discussed.þ þþ Other issues are the support of Sudan, Somalia and the þ þComoros and the dangers of the Israeli armament on the Arab national security þand world peace.þ þþ The Arab League was expected to discuss the proposal of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to hold a forum to take advantage of the other regional experiences to establish a zone free of weapons of mass destruction þin the Middle East and to have Arab coordination to combat illegal arms trade.þ þþþ It also discussed Arab relations with Europe, Asia and Africa and theArab summit with South American countries due in Brazil in April 2005. þþ Last Monday Arab Foreign Ministers met behind closed doors þ þ for consultative talks over agenda of their official meeting in þ þthe Egyptian capital.þ þþþ A source close to the in-camera meeting said talks have touched on means to follow up implementation of leaders' decision on reforms in the Arab world, the situation in Iraq, Lebanon and financial budget of the Arab League.þ þþþ The diplomatic source said that Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari asked for Arab support for the Iraqi government's efforts to arrange general þelections in Iraq.þ þþ For his part, the Lebanese Foreign Minister requested Arab support on þ Lebanon's sovereign choices of establishing special relations with Syria and þ other Arab countries and asked for Arab support on how to deal with United þ þNations resolution 1559 on Lebanon.þ þþþ The ministers also discussed the league's financial situation, stressing þ the necessity of members' commitment to payment of their contributions, the source þnoted. þþ The Arab League Council resumed its works last Tuesday þevening chaired by Mauritanian Foreign Minister Mohammed Vall Ould Bellal through discussing developments of the situation in Iraq and coordinating the þArab stands against discrimination.þ þþþ Spokesman of the Secretary General of the Arab League Counselor Hussam Zaki said that the closed morning session concentrated on supporting peace, þdevelopment and unity in Sudan and studying the country members' contributions in the League's budget with a minimum of one percent and a maximum of 14 þ percent.þ þþþ Zaki explained that the Ministers' discussions concentrated on issues þ þpresented by the League's council on the level of permanent delegates, þincluding the process of developing and modernizing the Arab world, the developments of the situation in Iraq, supporting peace in Sudan, as well as þcoordinating Arab stands that oppose discrimination.þ þþþ Meanwhile secretary General of the Arab League Amr Moussa confirmed in þpress statements following the first closed session that there was a general consent over the decision to support Lebanon.þ þþ The League's council prepared political, economic, legal and financial þdraft resolutions and presented them to the Foreign Ministers for approval.þ þþþ The committee of Follow up and Ministerial Movement subsidiary of the Arab Summit held its first meeting at the League's þ þheadquarters, to be chaired by the Tunisian Foreign Minister Al-Habib Ben Yahya as Tunisia is the current president of the summit. þþ Meanwhile the Arab Troika on Iraq reiterated its condemnation on the serious human right violations committed during the 1990 þ þIraqi invasion of Kuwait.þ þþþ This came in a draft resolution the committee submitted during its meeting þ to the meetings of the 122nd session of the Arab League foreign ministers.þ þþþ It also condemned the suppression of the facts related to the Kuwaiti POWs and third country nationals whose remains were found in mass graves.þ þþþ The Troika expressed its condolences to the families of the martyred POWs, þdemanding efforts to be exerted to reveal the destiny of the remaining POWs.þ þþþ It expressed its support towards the prosecution of the war criminals whom þ are members of the former Iraqi regime by an Iraqi court and according to the þIraqi law.þ þþþ It welcomed the transfer of the sovereignty to the interim Iraqi þ þgovernment, holding the Iraqi national conference and electing an interim national council to pave way for holding general elections in January 2005 and þestablishing an elected Iraqi government to set up a permanent constitution for the country.þ þþ The Troika condemned the terrorist operations and kidnapping being þwitnessed in Iraq as they are targeting civilians, security men, policemen and þreligious institutions.þ þþþ It called on the league to urge the member states to restore their þ þdiplomatic relations with Iraq and offer support to the Iraqi government.þ þþþ The Troika was established by the Tunisia Arab Summit to follow-up the developments in Iraq. It includes the foreign ministers of Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq and the secretary general of the Arab League.þ þþþ A source at the Arab League said that the Iraqi foreign minister þ þsubmitted a detailed report to the Troika over the political and field þ þconditions in Iraq. þþ Arab foreign ministers held an þextraordinary session in January to review the final draft of developing and þamending the Arab League (AL) charter before submitting it at the next league þsummit scheduled to take place next March in Algeria, an official at the Arab þLeague said.þ þþþ Secretary General of the Arab League Amr Moussa has prepared a report for the 122nd meetings of foreign ministers that highlights the steps þ taken on following up and improving the mechanism of joint Arab work.þ þþþ Moussa's deputy Noureddin Hasshad said the report touches on the Arab League charter amendments, the establishment of an Arab security council, the Arab parliament and the articles of association of the Arab court of justice.þ þþþ In regards to the following up on the latest Arab summit resolutions þ þincluding the development of the economic and social council, an AL official told KUNA that seven countries namely Kuwait, Saudi, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, þBahrain and Lebanon have already appointed ministers to represent them in the þ council in compliance with the resolution of Tunis summit. þþ On the other hand the peace initiative committee formed by the Arab þLeague held its first meeting on the foreign ministerial level at the League's headquarters.þ þþþ Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Tunis, Algeria, Bahrain, Morocco, Qatar, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the League's Secretary General will take part in the meeting.þ þþþ The official spokesman of the League's Secretary General, Hossam Zaki, said the committee discussed the approval of an Arab political and þdiplomatic plan to activate the Arab peace initiative to present it to the International Community and the Security Council as an appropriate framework to solve the Arab-Israeli crisis.þ þþþ He said a report prepared by the League will present a number of Arab suggestions and political movements planned to be made in the near future such þ as a joint ministerial meeting among the member states of the Arab peace þ initiative committee and a committee formed by the African Union to push þforward the Peace efforts in the Middle East on the sidelines of the UN þgeneral assembly meeting in New York.þ þþþ The report also calls for the Arab group in New York to issue a decision þfrom the General Assembly or the Security Council to consider the Arab þinitiative as one of the main pillars of the peace process in the region, he added.þ þþþ He noted that a call to hold a joint meeting between the quartet committee and the Arab initiative committee on the sidelines of the General Assembly þmeeting in New York has also been made. þþ Meanwhile the Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa held talks with Mauritanian Foreign Minister Mohammad Vall Quld Bellal, whose country is presiding over the 122nd session of the Arab League Council. þþ Speaking to reporters, Bellal said that he discussed with Moussa the preparations for the first public session of Arab foreign ministers, as well as the first ministerial meeting of the Arab-Chinese forum. þþ On how the Arab world would deal with the Lebanese issue, he said the political committee is now in session to mull over a number of draft resolutions. "Let us wait until the committee ends its meetings and submit a draft resolution to the Arab foreign ministers," he said. þþ On reforms in the Arab world and developing the Arab League, he said that there are resolutions on developing inter-Arab action that will be referred to the Arab League Ministerial Council. þþ Morocco's Foreign Minister, Mohamed Benaissa, called on the international community for an urgent intervention to make Israel abide by international law and halt its assassination of Palestinian leaders. þþ In a speech at the opening of the 122nd session of the Arab League's council meeting of Arab foreign ministers, Benaissa voiced Arab states concern over the Israeli escalation in Palestine and their solidarity with the Palestinian people in the realisation of its legitimate aspirations for an independent state, with Al Quds as capital. þþ A just and sustainable peace, he said, depends on the implementation of international resolutions and Israel's withdrawal from all Arab territories occupied in 1967. þþ The minister also raised at the opening session issues of joint concern to Arab countries, most importantly the questions of Iraq and Sudan. þþ Benaissa expressed the Arab states preoccupation as to the situation in Iraq, voicing support to the Iraqi interim government so that the Iraqi people can enjoy stability and peace. The chief diplomat highlighted the need to strengthen Arab contribution for the reconstruction of Iraq. þþ On Sudan, he recalled the Arab unified stance concerning the situation in Darfur, saying it is important to reinforce measures aiming to assist Sudan restore its political and social stability and to provide the necessary help to the population of Darfur.þþ The 121st session of the Arab League's council was held under Morocco's chairmanship. þþ