By NNN-KUNA
Cairo : Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul Gheit, among others, affirmed necessity of resolving some of the thorny Arab issues ahead of the upcoming Arab summit.
Abul Ghait, in a interview with the local daily newspaper, “Al-Ahram,” published on Saturday, emphasized the necessity of creating what he termed as the adequate atmosphere for ensuring success of the top-level Arab meeting.
“The Lebanese question is on top of the issues that must be resolved ahead of the coming summit,” he said.
This summit will be held under any circumstances, he said, apparently denying rumors that it may not be convened due to inter-Arab differences over some major affairs, and indicated at keenness on holding it at the scheduled venue, Damascus.
The Arab League has been trying to resolve the Lebanese crisis, mainly related to electing a new president and forming a new government, and Egypt has urged Syria to intervene and help reach reconciliation. But Damascus has accused the league of being biased in favor of the majority camp in Lebanon, led by MP Saad Al-Hariri.
Abul Gheit indicated at possibility of reaching a settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians later this year “provided there is serious intention to honor commitments of the peace process.” But he indicated that Israel’s concern that the number of Palestinians might dramatically grow in the coming years constituted a major bloc on the path for conciliation.
On the Egyptian-Iranian relations, he indicated at constant and regular contacts between the two sides, in addition to the exchange of diplomatic missions and the cooperation in the commercial and investment sectors.
He also indicated at other issues that needed to be thrashed out, such as security affairs and the nuclear question.
On the African summit due to be held in the Ethiopian capital later this month, Abul Gheit said it would mainly deal with manufacturing in the African continent as a basic necessity for development, in addition to regional security and stability.