Arab foreign ministers meet in Baghdad

BAGHDAD (AA) - March 28, 2012 - Foreign ministers of Arab countries met in Baghdad on Wednesday prior to the 23rd Term Ordinary Arab League Summit. The meeting of the foreign ministers began with opening remarks by Libyan Foreign Minister Ashur Bin Khayal. Khayal said that they would discuss Syria, developments in the Arab countries and Palestine issue. "I am pleased to be transferring the term presidency to Iraq," Khayal stressed. Khayal transferred the term presidency to Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Mahmud Zebari. Speaking at the meeting, Zebari said that they supported the right demands of the peoples. Peace in the Middle East can only be facilitated by solving the Palestine issue. We favor a region free of nuclear weapons, support the rights of minorities in the region, and support the establishment of good willed relations with neighboring countries as well as regional countries, Zebari noted. Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki made a surprise appearance at the meeting on Wednesday. Efforts must focus on preventing terror acts. We will make a proposal to the Secretariat General of the Arab League to establish a court of justice and several other institutions. I do hope that we establish stability in Iraq and in the region, al-Maliki said. Wednesday's meeting was attended by the representatives of all Arab countries except Syria. The meeting continues on Wednesday behind closed doors. On the other hand, Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday. Ihsanoglu will attend the summit of Arab leaders on Thursday.