Explaining the Arab Summit
March 28, 2002 -- The Arab League has concluded one of the most closely watched summits in its history amid some of the most turbulent days in the Middle East.
For the first time in the Middle East conflict, the Arab world come together and agreed on a peace plan, offering Israel normal relations in exchange for a withdrawal from occupied lands and recognition of a Palestinian state. ABCNEWS explains some of the summit's most important points.
What Is the Arab League Summit?
It is a two-day meeting that began on March 27 in Beirut, Lebanon. The Arab League is a voluntary association of 22 mainly Arabic-speaking entities. They are: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, the Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia. Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
What's So Important About It?
Attendees discussed a widely anticipated Middle East peace proposal from Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah. It offered Israel peace and normal relations with all Arab states in exchange for full withdrawal from all territories seized in 1967 and an independent Palestinian state. Only the Palestinian Authority, Egypt and Jordan recognize Israel.
Who Attended?
Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are among the most prominent Arab leaders who attended. Several international figures, including U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, also visited the summit.
Who Did Not Attend?
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordan's King Abdullah were absent. Libya, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Sudan and Mauritania were all represented by lower level officials.
Why Was Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat Absent?
Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has imposed a travel ban on Arafat since December, accusing him of not doing enough to halt an 18-month uprising against Israeli occupation and isolating him at his headquarters in Ramallah. He said Arafat should call for a cease-fire before he traveled abroad, and that the Palestinian leader might not be allowed to return if there were terror attacks during his absence. Arafat rejected the conditions.
Why Was Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Absent?
Mubarak said he originally wanted to attend the summit, but decided to stay away "when I found the issue becoming a matter of blackmail of the Palestinian people and the head of the Palestinian Authority, insult and humiliation." There were also reports that Mubarak was staying away because of security reasons. Egypt's foreign minister initially said unspecified "domestic commitments" kept Mubarak from attending. Prime Minister Atef Obeid attended in place of Mubarak.
Why Was Jordanian King Abdullah Absent?
Arab League officials reportedly said Abdullah would not attend because of security reasons. Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher was quoted as saying Abdullah's reason for staying in Amman is "not political," in reference to speculation that Abdullah's absence is due to the dispute between Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Abdullah was represented by his prime minister, Ali Abul-Ragheb
What Was the Reaction From the United States and Europe?
Both the United States and the European Union lobbied Israel to allow Arafat to attend the summit. An E.U. spokeswoman told Reuters the meeting was a "unique opportunity to find a way out of the current situation." Washington was seen as seeking Arab support in advance of any action on Iraq, but some Palestinians still think the Bush administration didn't push hard enough.
What Was the Reaction From the Arab World?
Arafat accused Israel of suffering from "an obsolete and anachronistic mentality" of "might is right." Some Arab officials told ABCNEWS they hoped Arafat's address to the summit by teleconference would embarrass Israel internationally. Despite the multiple absences, the attendees endorsed the Saudi plan anyway.