Dubai: Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi on Sunday warned against the partitioning of Sudan and urged wealthy Arab states to invest in Africa, at the first African-Arab summit in more than 30 years.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, led the UAE delegation to the summit in the Libyan city of Sirte.
"What is happening in Sudan could become a contagious disease that affects the whole of Africa," Gaddafi said.
"We must recognise that this event is dangerous," the Libyan leader said, referring to the planned January 9 referendum on southern Sudan's independence, which could see Africa's largest country divided in two.
Arab League Secretary-General Amr Mousa voiced concerns at the summit about "the referendum's impact on security and stability on a large region of Africa and the Middle East."
In a draft declaration, leaders threw their backing behind Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir who is facing genocide charges in the International Criminal Court. The communiqué rejects any attempt to undermine Sudan's "sovereignty, unity, security or stability."
Turning his focus to GCC states, Gaddafi urged wealthy Arab states to evaluate joint ventures in large-scale infrastructure projects to help lift poor African countries out of poverty.
Topping the agenda
Food security and water resources topped the agenda as the 66 leaders discussed ways to fight poverty in the region.
The African-Arab summit was the first in more than 30 years. Arab and African nations last met in 1977, in Cairo.
Shaikh Mohammad returned home on Sunday night.
