“There’s no conflict within the Arab League on the Arab neighborhood forum,” said secretary-general of the Arab League Amr Moussa.
According to recent media coverage, however, there is dissension among Arab states over the secretary-general’s initiative to create a "neighborhood forum" that includes Turkey, Iran and Ethiopia.
Some Arab countries are reportedly opposed to Iran's admission to the forum.
Moussa made the statement on the sidelines of a meeting aimed at enhancing support for private-sector small and medium enterprises in the Arab world.
In other news, Ahmed Qurei, a Palestinian Liberation Organization official, expressed pessimism over peace negotiations due to sustained Israeli aggression.
“The Palestinian situation is not at its best. There shouldn’t be a state of division when we are faced by this fierce Israeli attack,”
Qurei said at a lecture hosted by Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies Sunday.
Qurei referred to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' intention to resort to the UN if the stalemate persists.
“If no results are yielded, a Palestinian state will be announced, and international trusteeship will be requested,” Qurei said. He said internal Palestinian reconciliation is also necessary.
“I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said that the Palestinian case is now at its most dangerous impasse of recent years,” Qurei concluded.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
