DAMASCUS, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The Arab summit that concluded here on Sunday discussed the mechanism to effectively carry out joint Arab action, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said.

 

Arab leaders and their representatives Sunday renewed in Damascus at the closing session of the 20th Arab Summit commitment to boosting Arab solidarity in protecting Arab security and overcoming inter-Arab differences. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

   Speaking at a joint press conference with Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, Muallem underlined that Arab countries should take joint action to solve major issues in the region.

    Arab leaders and representatives discussed inter-Arab relationsand the general situation in the region during their closed-door meetings, focusing on three main topics, including the latest developments in Iraq and the Palestinian territories besides the issue of joint Arab action.

    On the disputes between the two Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas, Muallem said the summit stressed a continuation of the Yemen initiative aimed at achieving Palestinian reconciliation.

Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem (L) and Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa attend a news conference after the end of the two-day Arab Summit in Damascus Mar. 30, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would continue consultations with his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas in this regard, said Muallem.

    On the Lebanon issue, Muallem reasserted that the Lebanese national reconciliation was the way out of its current crisis.

    Moussa, for his part, described the atmosphere of the summit as"positive."

    The two-day summit, starting on Saturday in the southern suburbof Damascus, adopted the Damascus Declaration on a series of key Arab issues.

    The declaration underlines commitment to boosting Arab solidarity in protecting Arab security and overcoming inter-Arab differences through serious dialogue.

    It also expresses favor of Arab higher interests above any differences and Arab willingness to stand together against political and economic pressures put on any Arab country.

    Only 11 Arab leaders, including President Bashar al-Assad of the host Syria, participated in the event, half of the 22-member pan-Arab bloc.

    Leaders of pro-western Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan did not show up here for the summit, only sending low-level delegations ina snub to Damascus over its alleged role of blocking the presidential election in Lebanon, accusations denied by Syria. Lebanon boycotted the summit, sending no one here.

Damascus summit renews commitment to Arab solidarity

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    The commitment was reaffirmed in the Damascus Declaration read by Arab League (AL) Secretary General Amr Moussa at the closing session. Full story

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