Global General

Arab Summit kicks off, highlighting rescuing East Jerusalem

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-27 20:31

SIRTE, Libya - The 22nd Arab League Summit, billed as the "Jerusalem Summit" kicked off on Saturday in the Libyan city of Sirte to discuss a package of major issues, with protecting East Jerusalem from Israeli violation high on the agenda.

Arab Summit kicks off, highlighting rescuing East Jerusalem

Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi (R) listens to Jordan's King Abdullah upon his arrival in Sirte March 26, 2010. Gaddafi is hosting this year's summit of the Arab League in his home town of Sirte from March 27-28. [Agencies]

The summit has gathered Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, among other regional leaders.

While leaders of eight AL member states, including Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz and Lebanese President Michel Sleiman, are staying away from the summit.

Arab and international efforts to revive Palestinian-Israeli talks and Israel's determination to forge ahead with the construction of new settlement in mostly Arab East Jerusalem are due to dominate the two-day meeting.

In Thursday's preparatory meeting for the annual gathering of regional leaders, Arab Foreign Ministers' Council agreed to name the meeting as "the summit of supporting Jerusalem steadfastness."