Gulf leaders to discuss raids at economic summit

Israel's air strikes on Gaza will not derail Gulf Arab leaders' plans to sign monetary union pacts at a summit next week but the issue will share the spotlight at their discussions, Omani hosts said yesterday.

"The issue (Gaza) will impose itself on the agenda. The events of yesterday will have their deserved place in the discussions," said Information Minister Hamad Al-Rashdi.

But Gulf Arab leaders gathering today are still expected to approve a long-planned pact to take them one step closer to issuing a single currency.