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The president of the Association of Jabal Amel Ulama on Friday described the just-concluded Beirut Arab summit as the “loss-of-time summit,” which, he said, was powerless and had no effect on international politics dominated by the United States. Speaking during a Friday sermon, Sheikh Afif Nabulsi said Arab leaders had made “concessions to achieve peace with a cruel enemy (Israel) that knows nothing but war, hatred and destruction.” The peace initiative proposed by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Abdullah at the summit, he added, was a “freak” that was not destined to survive for very long, and it would go the...

Saudi prince falls ill at Arab summit Prince Nawwaf in stable condition after undergoing an operation for brain haemorrhage BEIRUT (AFP) — The number two of the Saudi delegation to the Arab summit here, Prince Nawwaf Ben Abdul Aziz, was in “stable condition” after undergoing an operation on Wednesday for a brain haemorrhage, medical sources said. Prince Nawwaf, 70, “was operated on with success and his condition is stable,” one medical source said. They said the prince, Saudi Arabia's intelligence chief and a former interior minister, had fallen unconscious and was rushed to the American University Hospital. The prince had...

Judging by the massive media coverage, the Arab summit taking place on March 27-28 in Beirut promises to be a turning point in the Arab-Israeli conflict. The primary source of excitement is Saudi crown prince Abdullah's proposal for Arabs to normalize relations in return for Israel returning to its June 1967 boundaries. But even the lesser aspects of this summit--Will Yasir Arafat be there or not? Why did Husni Mubarak decide against going?--are headline, top-of-the-newscast material. But nothing of import will take place in Beirut. In fact, in a year's time this summit and the Abdullah plan will almost certainly...

<p>BEIRUT — Ministers here for an Arab League summit yesterday completed a draft communique of harsh anti-Israeli rhetoric that belied the conciliatory tone of a Saudi peace plan to be discussed later this week.</p> <p>The formal statement, to be finalized by presidents and prime ministers from 22 Arab nations tomorrow, reflects generations of pain and hatred rather than the more generous tone of the Saudi land-for-peace initiative.</p>

Arab summit opens in Beirut today   • King to hand over summit's rotating presidency to Lahoud • Differences reported on Saudi plan's inclusion of detailed reference on refugees By Francesca Sawalha AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah will arrive here today to address the opening session of an Arab summit expected to adopt a Saudi initiative offering Israel peace with the Arab world if it withdraws from all occupied lands and if a Palestinian state is established with Jerusalem as its capital. There was universal consensus on the guidelines and principles of the Saudi proposal, delegates to the 14th...

The European Union and Britain have today urged Israel to let Palestinian President Yasser Arafat travel to an Arab League summit in Beirut tomorrow. A European Commission spokeswoman said EU leaders had made very clear at a summit this month that Mr Arafat should be given full freedom to travel to Beirut or anywhere else and without preconditions. British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said it was not in Israel's interest that Mr Arafat was prevented from going, adding the move would damage prospects of achieving peace in the region. "It is obviously important that the Arab League Summit in Beirut...

Arab leaders are gathering in Beirut for a two-day summit of the Arab League, which could have historic significance if it adopts a Saudi plan for a permanent peace between the entire Arab world and Israel. The meeting begins on Wednesday, but delegates are still waiting to hear whether Palestinian president Yasser Arafat will be joining them. Tatbee or not tatbee. It could be the title of the political drama set to unfold at the Arab Summit in Beirut. Tatbee is the Arabic word for normalization and it's the key concept in a plan that Saudi Crown Prince Abdallah will...

Syria Stages Street Protest Ahead of Arab Summit DAMASCUS (Reuters) - More than 100,000 Syrians jammed the streets of Damascus on Sunday in an officially backed protest in support of the Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation and to warn against any U.S. strike on Iraq. The demonstration was staged as preparations went ahead for a March 27-28 Arab summit in Beirut where leaders will focus on a Saudi Arabian Middle East peace proposal and oppose any U.S. military action against Baghdad. Government employees and students filled Damascus's largest square, some waving Syrian and Palestinian flags and others bearing banners reading...

Arab leaders who meet in Beirut next week for the Arab Summit should support the Palestinian intifada or uprising against Israel and prevent any military action against Iraq, official Syrian radio said Monday. Arab leaders should "support the Palestinian intifada and prevent any military action against Iraq," Radio-Damascus announced, according to AFP. "These are the priorities of the upcoming Arab summit," it said in its daily commentary. Meanwhile, on Monday, the government Tishrin newspaper blasted US threats of overthrowing the regime of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, calling on the Arab summit to adopt a "firm stance" on the issue. "The...