League urged to continue bid to ease tension

Bahrain urged the Arab League Secretary General to continue his diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the region, the official news agency, BNA, said yesterday.

Amr Moussa, who left Manama last night at the end of a two-day visit, yesterday met His Majesty the King, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and the Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

He reviewed Manama's preparations for the Arab Summit in March, with the Bahraini leadership. The King "welcomed the holding of the summit in Bahrain, stressing the importance of a unified and strong Arab stance in the face of all challenges," the agency stated.

He called for reviving the Middle East peace process to achieve a comprehensive and just peace according to international resolutions, in which the Palestinians will be able to establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Earlier, the prime minister urged the Arab League's chief to continue his efforts "aimed at sparing the Arab countries and the region any tension and to preserve the security and stability of the region," the BNA said.

"All the countries must commit to the UN resolutions and refrain from using force or the threat of force," he was quoted as saying.

Sheikh Khalifa assured Moussa that Bahrain is undertaking all necessary arrangements "to pave the way for the success of the Arab summit."

Moussa, meanwhile, expressed his satisfaction over the preparations made for the March meeting, adding that he briefed the prime minister on the outcome of the Arab League's efforts to avoid any military action against Iraq.