The Jordanian Minister of Information, Taleb Refai denied on Wednesday the existence of disagreement among the Arab countries regarding the forthcoming Arab summit's agenda, scheduled to take place in Amman on March 27.
The Saudi press agency (SPA) quoted the minister as saying at a press conference in Amman that “the summit's agenda still needs additional work, notably the main topics which are clear in perspectives, but need extra efforts and concentration to make them effective.”
the Jordanian cabinet listened last night to a report from the foreign minister, Abdul-Ilah al-Khatib on the result of the Arab ministerial meetings held in Cairo on Monday regarding the summit.
Meanwhile, AFP said that Jordan's King Abdullah II will visit Abu Dhabi for talks with UAE President Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahayan ahead of the March 27 Arab summit, Information Minister Taleb Rifai said on Wednesday.
"His Majesty is going to the United Arab Emirates for consultations with Sheik Zayed," Rifai told the news conference, confirming a report carried earlier by Al Dustour newspaper.
The king was not expected to visit other Arab countries, he said, adding that the visit was part of diplomatic efforts being deployed ahead of the Arab summit to prepare for the forum.
During the foreign ministers' meeting, the Arab states decided to send $40 million a month to the Palestinian National Authority, almost bankrupted by Israel’s closure of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the secretary-general of the Arab League announced Tuesday.
“A sum of $40 million will be set aside from the Jerusalem Fund each month to pay employees’ salaries...because the people need speedy emergency aid,” Esmat Abdel-Meguid said after the meeting, cited by Reuters.
He said the cash lifeline to the authority, now staying afloat on bank loans, would operate for the next six months.
Arab states pledged at a summit in October $1 billion in financial assistance to the Palestinians via two funds, but Palestinian officials say only a tiny percentage of the money has been received – Albawaba.com
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