Euromed conference threatened by boycott

Syria is reported to be planning to boycott a meeting of Mediterranean and European Union countries that begins in Marseilles tomorrow .

Arab diplomats said the action was prompted by the perceived lack of a firm EU position on the violence involving Israel and the Palestinians, and because Israel would be represented at the conference. Diplomats said the Foreign Minister, Farouk al-Shara -- who had been due to lead Syria's delegation -- would hold a news conference tomorrow to explain his country's stand. Libya, which is not a full member of the twenty-seven nation European-Mediterranean forum, has already said it will not attend.

The European-Mediterrean partnership was established in Barcelona five years ago to foster cooperation in economic, social and political fields.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service