World Tribune.com

NextCard Visa

Arabs plan summit as U.S. presents demands

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Monday, September 17, 2001

CAIRO Ñ Diplomatic sources said several Arab leaders are exploring the prospect of a summit in wake of the suicide attacks in New York and Washington, Middle East Newsline reports.

The sources said the United States presented a list of seven demands to Arab ambassadors over the weekend. These included an end to Arab government links to terrorist groups as well as an end of Saudi support and recognition to the Afghan ruling Taliban movement.

The summit is being supported by Saudi Arabia, the sources said. It is not clear whether Egypt supports such a meeting. Egypt has already launched a crackdown on Islamic militants and arrested dozens of suspects.

The sources said the Arab League wants to formulate a response to U.S. efforts to organize an international campaign against terrorism.

One concern, the sources said, is that some Arab nations would agree to cooperate with the United States. This could prompt a U.S. boycott against those that refuse to join Washington.

The sources said the Arab leaders would discuss counterterrorism cooperation between league members as well as that with the United States. Another proposal that is being raised is to establish an apparatus for counterterrorism.

The Riyad-based Okaz daily reported that the contacts to explore the prospect of an Arab summit would end within a few days. The newspaper said Arab envoys would be sent to the United States for consultations with the Bush administration on forming a coalition against terrorism.

Print this Article Print this Article Email this article Email this article Subscribe to this Feature Free Headline Alerts