An emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers started here Sunday afternoon at the headquarters of the Cairo-based Arab League (AL) on the Lebanese political stalemate and the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory of Gaza Strip.
The Arab foreign ministers are expected to review Arab steps, particularly a three-point Arab plan, endorsed to help resolve the current crisis over the Lebanese presidential elections.
Earlier report said AL Secretary General Amr Moussa will brief at the meeting on his recent efforts exerted to implement the Arab plan approved by Arab foreign ministers earlier this month.
Moussa has paid three visits this month to Lebanon, holding marathon talks with Lebanese leaders to promote the Arab initiative.
The three-point Arab plan aimed at immediately electing Lebanese Army Commander General Michel Suleiman as Lebanese president and proceeding to forming a government of national unity and drafting a new electoral law.
Lebanese presidential seat has been vacant since former President Emile Lahoud ended his term on Nov. 24, 2007, and the Lebanese parliament has postponed a parliamentary session to elect a new president for a 13th time.
Right before the Arab foreign ministers' meeting, Moussa held a six-way meeting with the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Qatar and Oman, setting stage for the AL meeting.
On the Palestinian issue, the Arab foreign ministers are scheduled to discuss conditions in the Gaza Strip that has been plagued by an Israeli blockade and Israel's continued settlement policy in the West Bank.
The Egyptian-Gaza border remained open for the fifth consecutive day on Sunday as Egyptian security forces are girding up to take actions to close the border.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza have crossed into Egypt to purchase daily necessities after Palestinian militants blew up holes in the concrete wall separating southern Gaza and Egypt on early Wednesday.
On Sunday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said Egypt, who has never spared any effort to support the Palestinian people, will take all necessary measures to control its border with Gaza.
Source: Xinhua
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