Arab World Stands United
March 28, 2002
Following a rocky start to the two-day Arab League summit in Beirut, the desired result has been achieved after all. A Beirut Declaration, read by Lebanon's Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh, embraced the plan proposed by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah.
The declaration said Israel must accept a Palestinian state and agree to a "just solution" to the Palestinian refugee problem in line with a 1948 UN resolution that calls for them to be repatriated or compensated.
In return, the Arab countries would "consider the Arab-Israeli conflict ended and enter into a peace agreement with Israel (and) establish normal relations with Israel in the context of this comprehensive peace", the document said. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat had given his blessing to the plan.
The Saudi draft had originally been delayed because Lebanon wanted a clause barring permanent residence for Palestinian refugees on its territory. The Arab leaders finally agreed to reject any solution "which conflicts with the special interests of the Arab host countries".
Off to a bad start
The meeting had seen a tumultuous first day when host Lebanon blocked plans for Arafat to address Arab leaders via satellite link from the West Bank, where he has been confined by Israel since December. The Palestinian delegation subsequently walked out in protest.
The row was the latest problem for a summit already clouded by a deadly suicide bombing in Israel and last-minute decisions by the pro-Western leaders of Egypt and Jordan to stay at home.
A new start for Iraq and Kuwait
The Beirut Declaration made clear that the United States cannot count on the Arab countries for any action against Iraq. "We stress our total rejection of any attack on Iraq," the Declaration said.
It also demanded the lifting of UN sanctions on Iraq imposed for its 1990 invasion of Kuwait.
Delegates said the summit approved an agreement between Gulf War foes Iraq and Kuwait that could pave the way for improved relations for the first time since the 1990-91 Gulf crisis.
The Beirut Declaration "welcomed Iraq's confirmation to respect the independence, sovereignty and security of the state of Kuwait and guarantee its safety and unity to avoid anything that might cause a repetition of what happened in 1990".