Meet the challenge of change or perish

Arab leaders meet today for the 19th time since the foundation of the Arab League about six decades ago.

Unfortunately for them, the summit coincides with the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the European Union. It is not realistic to compare the achievements of the two bodies. As the EU discusses its unified constitution, the Arab League struggles to survive.

EU leaders can be proud of what has been achieved - Europe has become a key player in the international arena, managed to end wars and friction to form an invincible bloc politically and economically, succeeded in creating a collective European spirit and become an inspiration to others across the globe for democracy and freedom.

But what can the Arab leaders show? Absolutely nothing. Arab states have yet to agree on a single issue. Tension and conflicts have engulfed the region for so long it has become hard to imagine a crisis- free Middle East.

A proposed common market scheme never took off and the joint defence pact has proved an utter failure. As an organisation the Arab League is dying and it is doubtful many people would miss it.

What is urgently needed today is a bold decision to reform the organisation or perhaps form a new one that is capable of confronting the new political and security challenges.

Another decision is required to draw a unified Arab strategy dealing with the Palestinian, Iraqi and Sudanese issues. Conflicting positions, by individual states, hurt Arab causes and weaken our ability to play any role in addressing them.

For the past two decades major decisions concerning most Arab issues were taken in foreign capitals. Arab governments resigned themselves to the role of spectators. This has to stop.

It will be sad if today's summit turns out to be the usual time-wasting protocols and long boring speeches. We might as well cancel it altogether.