国际英语新闻：AL chief says Arab summit to be held on time

CAIRO, March 2  -- Arab League (AL) Secretary General Amr Moussa said Sunday the upcoming Arab summit scheduled for March 29 to 30 would be held on time, the Egyptian official news agency MENA reported.

    Following talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Sunday, Moussa said he discussed Saturday with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on the issues to be addressed at the Arab summit.

    Moussa said intensive Arab contacts are underway due to the current difficulties in the region, particularly the situation in the Palestinian territories of Gaza Strip and the Lebanese political crisis.

    During a meeting to be held on March 5, Arab foreign ministers will discuss the situation in Gaza, the AL chief said.

    On the Lebanese development, Moussa denied any intention to amend an Arab initiative, saying the three-point plan was meant to solve the Lebanese presidential impasse.

    On Saturday evening, Moussa wrapped up a two-day visit to Syria during which President al-Assad reviewed the latest developments in Lebanon and preparations for the Arab summit set to be held in the Syrian capital of Damascus in late March.

    At a joint press conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Walidal-Muallem, Moussa said the Cairo-based Arab bloc attached importance to holding the Arab summit in Damascus in a good atmosphere which would guarantee its success.

    "I come to Syria as part of preparations for the Arab summit and discussed the serious problems which caused considerable tension in Arab relations," Moussa said.

    Muallem said all the Arab countries will be invited to the summit, expressing Syria's keenness to host a successful summit with the presence of all Arab leaders.

    Syria has been accused of obstructing the presidential elections in Lebanon through the opposition allies, which was denied by Damascus.

    Some Arab countries threatened to boycott the upcoming Arab summit if Syria does not facilitate the election of Army commander Gen. Michel Suleiman as Lebanese president.