Posted on 04/04/2004 6:10:01 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
CAIRO, Egypt -
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (news - web sites), trying to revive last month's postponed Arab summit, said Sunday the leaders should meet in May and that he doesn't care where they gather.
Tunisia, the host of this year's March 29-30 meeting of the Cairo-based Arab League, called off the gathering 48 hours before it was to begin, citing disagreements among members on key agenda items such as a U.S. reform plan for the region and a 2-year-old Arab peace initiative for Israel.
Mubarak received Syrian President Bashar Assad and Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir in Cairo on Sunday for consultations on rescheduling the Arab summit. In recent days, he's also discussed the matter in person with the kings of Bahrain and Jordan and the crown prince of Saudi Arabia.
Mubarak urged Tunisia to start contacts with Arab countries to test opinions on where and when the summit should be held.
"I can say that the summit will be held in May, but this is preliminary and will depend on the decision of the presidents," Mubarak said after a 90-minute meeting with Assad at Cairo airport.
"I don't think the decision to postpone the summit is beneficial to the Arab nations. Where it is held is a decision to be taken by the presidents, and not me alone," Mubarak said. "Holding it in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen or any country, I don't have a problem even on the moon," he said.
Mubarak was harshly critical of Tunisia for calling off the summit and quickly offered Egypt as a venue, prompting Tunisia to respond that it retains its right to play host.
Mubarak said he suggested the summit come to Egypt to "solve the problem" and to prevent any demonstrations against its cancellation.
Amr Moussa, secretary-general of the Arab League, was in Tunisia on Friday and in Morocco on Sunday. He planned visits to other Arab countries over the next 10 days to discuss rescheduling the meeting.
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