SHARM EL-SHEIKH, 2 March 2003 — Leaders from 22 Arab countries yesterday strongly opposed the planned U.S.-led military attack on Iraq as a threat to Arab national security, and said their countries would not participate in any war.
A final communique issued after the one-day summit here also blasted the
“attempts to impose changes in the region,” in a reference to U.S. demands that President Saddam Hussein be removed from power.
The general peaceful atmosphere at the summit, however, was broken by an open UAE call for Saddam Hussein to step down, and by an attack by Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi’s against Saudi Arabia.
Crown Prince Abdullah, who led the Kingdom’s delegation, threatened to withdraw from the conference after an angry exchange of words with the Libyan leader.
The summit, attended by leaders and officials from the 22 members of the Arab League, also decided to set up a committee that will explain the Arab position to “international parties” before going to Baghdad for talks with the Iraqi leadership.
The Arab leaders agreed on “the complete rejection of a strike against Iraq, or threatening the security and safety of any Arab country, as a threat to the Arab national security,” according to the communique read out by Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa.
A final communique issued after the one-day summit here also blasted the
“attempts to impose changes in the region,” in a reference to U.S. demands that President Saddam Hussein be removed from power.
The general peaceful atmosphere at the summit, however, was broken by an open UAE call for Saddam Hussein to step down, and by an attack by Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi’s against Saudi Arabia.
Crown Prince Abdullah, who led the Kingdom’s delegation, threatened to withdraw from the conference after an angry exchange of words with the Libyan leader.
The summit, attended by leaders and officials from the 22 members of the Arab League, also decided to set up a committee that will explain the Arab position to “international parties” before going to Baghdad for talks with the Iraqi leadership.
The Arab leaders agreed on “the complete rejection of a strike against Iraq, or threatening the security and safety of any Arab country, as a threat to the Arab national security,” according to the communique read out by Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa.