The Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, says most Arab states are in favour of holding a summit to forge a unified Arab stand on the stalled Middle East peace process.

Speaking in Gaza after visiting several countries in the region, Mr Arafat said there was an urgent need for the summit.

The proposed meeting is expected to be discussed later today by Syrian leaders and Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, who is in Damascus.

Meanwhile, President Chirac of France -- ending a two-day visit to Lebanon -- said an international conference on the Middle East would relaunch the peace process.