CAIRO, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said Sunday that the Cairo-based Arab League (AL) will host a foreign-ministerial meeting of Iraq's neighboring countries at the AL headquarters on Dec. 5, the ministry said in a press statement.

    Abul Gheit said such a meeting should lead to the adoption of a clear Arab stand regarding the situation in Iraq, which would assert the solidarity with the Iraqis and express rejection of all forms of violence or sectarian sedition.

    Abul Gheit reiterated in the statement Egypt's stand in support for the Iraqis and rejection of all attempts to undermine Iraq's stability, independence and sovereignty.

    Abul Gheit also expressed Egypt's resolve to continue efforts to bring an end to the current deteriorating conditions in Iraq and prevent the country from sliding into a civil war, thus threatening the security and stability of the entire region.

    Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab Affairs Hani Khallaf also said on Saturday that the AL will convene at the level of foreign ministers on Dec. 5, according to Egypt's official news agency MENA.

    Khallaf said the Arab nations would ask all factions to halt the bloodshed in Iraq.