Jordan Times
Tuesday, April 6, 2004
King, Bashir hold talks on Arab summit
KHARTOUM (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah on
Monday started a two-day visit to Sudan where he held talks with President Omar
Bashir on bilateral relations and means to hold the Arab summit as soon as
possible.
In statements to the press upon arrival, King Abdullah voiced hope that the
visit would give strong momentum to political, economic and military relations
between the two countries.
King Abdullah and Bashir highlighted the importance of setting a date for the
summit, which, they said, should be held as soon as possible.
In an interview with the Sudanese Akhbar Alyoum newspaper, King Abdullah said he
hoped a consensus would be reached on the date and venue of the upcoming Arab
summit, which should help bolster joint Arab action and activate the role of the
Arab League.
In a related development, the King yesterday received a letter from Palestinian
President Yasser Arafat on the upcoming summit. The letter was delivered to
Prime Minister Faisal Fayez by member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation's
Executive Committee Samir Ghosheh.
The King also highlighted the significance of efforts exerted to push the Middle
East peace process forward, revive the roadmap and end the ongoing cycle of
violence in the Palestinian territories.
On Iraq, King Abdullah stressed the need to provide all forms of support to the
Iraqi people and their right for self-determination.
The King is accompanied by Royal Court Minister Samir Rifai, Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Mohammad Halaiqa, Minister of
Planning and International Cooperation Bassem Awadallah and Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff General Khalid Sarayreh.
King Abdullah concluded earlier Monday a two-day official visit to Bahrain,
where he held talks with King Hamad Ben Isa Al Khalifa on the Arab summit. Talks
also focused on ways to enhance bilateral relations.