Maktoum: Future of Arabs lies in solidarity

His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, arrived here yesterday heading the UAE delegation for today's Arab Summit.

He was received by President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt. Top Egyptian officials were also present.

The UAE delegation accompanying Sheikh Maktoum includes General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defence Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Information and Culture, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation, Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Minister of Economy and Commerce, Rashid Abdullah, Foreign Minister, Lt. General Dr. Mohammed bin Saeed Al Badi, Interior Minister, Dr. Khalifa Mohammed Ahmed, Chief of the Dubai Ruler's Court, Saeed Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Butti, UnderSecretary of Protocol and Guest House Department, Ahmed Ali Nasser Al Mail Al Zaabi.

In a statement on arrival, Sheikh Maktoum said: "I'm pleased to be here to represent President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan at the third ordinary Arab Summit which will be held under the chairmanship of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain.

"This summit is being held at a critical time and this makes it imperative for us to speak with one voice as well as work together so that we overcome the challenges that are now besetting us".

Sheikh Maktoum re-affirmed UAE readiness to support Arab solidarity, saying that the future of Arabs lies in working together. "The UAE will support every action that will lead to our solidarity. Our future lies in this solidarity as well as in working together", he said.

Meanwhile, leaders of delegations representing 22 Arab countries arrived yesterday for the summit which is expected to focus on the Iraqi crisis and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The summit is also expected to handle an initiative to be presented by Saudi Arabia on carrying out essential reforms "in the Arab home", in addition to other initiatives from Sudan, Qatar and Libya.

Sources also revealed that the UAE would present its own initiative to help avert war on Iraq and put an end to the Iraqi crisis.

However, a senior UAE official, and member of the delegation said that he had no idea about the initiative.

"I have no idea whatsoever about what you call the UAE initiative to the summit," said Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Minister of Economy and Commerce, told Gulf News.

Sheikh Fahim said that the summit would also deal with important economic matters and take decisions that would help develop the Arab economy.

"Setting up the Arab Common Market, and enhancing economic cooperation between Arab countries will be the two major items on the summit's agenda, though it will be dominated by the Iraqi crisis and the Arab-Israeli conflict," said Sheikh Fahim.

The summit will start with a speech by Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, who chaired the 14th summit in Beirut last year, then the chairmanship will move to King Hamad. Mubarak will then address the summit followed by other Arab leaders who want to speak.

Following the opening ceremony, Arab leaders and heads of delegations will hold a closed-door meeting, which is expected to deal with the Iraqi crisis.

The closing ceremony will be held after leaders adopt the final communique later in the day.