Eight heads of state to skip event
Eight heads of state to skip Khartoum event
Khartoum: At least eight heads of state, including the veteran leaders of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, have chosen to skip the annual Arab summit here.
No major announcements are expected and sources say it might be wrapped up this evening instead of tomorrow as initially planned.
Egypt has announced President Hosni Mubarak will not attend. Prime Minister Ahmad Naseef will take part instead. The Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia is reportedly shunning the meeting.
Others confirmed to be staying away include Sultan Qaboos of Oman, President Zein Al Abedine Bin Ali of Tunisia and Iraq's Jalal Talabani.
King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa of Bahrain and King Mohammad of Morocco will also not attend.
While the summit is to repeat previously stated positions on most issues, especially Iraq and Palestine, officials say the most significant announcement will be the creation of the Arab Council for Peace and Security.
