Jordan's King Abdullah II will not attend the Arab summit because of a commitment made five months ago to meet investors in the United States.
"King Abdullah II has committed five months ago to meet with more than 1,000 investors in the United States and as a result he will not attend the Arab summit in Algiers," Jordanian Foreign Minister Hani Mulki told AFP on Sunday.
"The king was unable to change his plans when he received the invitation two months ago for the summit," he said, adding that the meeting with investors was important for economic development in Jordan.
"King Abdullah was unable to change the date despite his efforts to do so," Mulki said.
Jordanian Prime Minister Faysal al-Fayez will head the Jordanian delegation at the summit on Tuesday and Wednesday, he said.
Fayez is expected to arrive Monday in Algiers, he added. Leaders at the summit are expected to discuss a Jordanian peace initiative seeking to normalise ties with Israel ahead of a final peace accord with the Palestinians.
© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
