Arab summit in quotes

The summit was marred by a slanging match

Arab leaders met in the Egyptian Red Sea port of Sharm el-Sheikh to try to forge a common position on the Iraq crisis amid the continuing build-up towards a possible US-led attack. The Arab League summit was marred by a public spat between the Libyan and Saudi leaders.

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Egyptian President Muhammad Hosni Mubarak

It should be logical and normal to call for giving Iraq the necessary time to prove its sincerity and seriousness in the full and accurate implementation of those resolutions. The voices threatening to wage war or seeking to give the impression that such war is inevitable and unavoidable, regardless of what position or policies Iraq adopts, should not prevail...

Egyptian Satellite Channel TV, 0950 gmt 1 Mar 03

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Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa

This summit is being held at a time when the Arabs and their identity and even their religion are facing doubts, condemnation of their ideology and attacks aimed at imposing radical changes on them...

Egyptian Satellite Channel TV, 1005 gmt 1 Mar 03

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Jordanian King Abdallah II

Despite the fact that the chance to avert a war on Iraq and the region has become weak, we should not let this stand in our way of continuing sincere efforts to deflect such a war. Based on this, Jordan asserts the need to support any action which will help Iraq to avoid any military strike, and to use all possible means to spare the region the effects of this war. Jordan also stresses the need to settle this crisis through peaceful means and to give adequate time to the international inspectors to conclude their mission.

Jordan TV Channel 1, 1115 gmt 1 Mar 03

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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

At first the US proposed the issue of the return of inspectors. Later, it spoke about the implementation of the UN and Security Council resolutions. It then spoke about the weapons of mass destruction. Later they said the problem lies in the regime itself. They then began to talk about democracy and human rights. Now they give a promise of development in Iraq and our region in general after this war... All the points presented were mere masks used by the United States to deceive the world... Later, bored of wearing these masks, these officials decided to take them off. They said the issue is not any of the above. The issue is that of taking control of the world and the region. The issue is one of oil. And oil is one of the instruments used to control the world.

Syrian TV, 1125 gmt 1 Mar 03

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Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat

The Israeli government is a staunch instigator of war against brotherly Iraq and regards it as its own war against the Palestinian people and their National Authority, entity and independence and against the entire Arab nation from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. Today, this Israeli government is putting the final touches to the scenarios for its role and objectives in the war against Iraq and its fraternal people.

Palestinian TV, 1150 gmt 1 Mar 03

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Yemeni President Ali Abdallah Salih

Any aggression against Iraq or attempt to get rid of its political regime will be considered aggression against the Arab order. This aggression will begin in Iraq and end in Mauritania...

Republic of Yemen Television, 1220 gmt 1 Mar 03

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Izzat Ibrahim, vice-chairman of Iraq's Revolution Command Council

The US administration and its ally, the Zionist entity, care less about, and are not searching for, weapons of mass destruction. However, they use this issue as a cover and pretext to destroy Iraq... They also seek to colonise Iraq and the Arab region, to dismember its states, re-draw its political map and turn the Arab states into weak and warring states under the subservience of the Zionist entity.

Al-Jazeera, 1430 gmt 1 Mar 03

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Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi

The Iraqi danger, ie the current Iraqi situation, became a cause of anxiety and even threat to our brothers in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the whole Gulf [region]. America is used to protect this region because the latter is a very important source of energy. [Addressing Saudi Crown Prince Abdallah] If there is a correction please go ahead brother Abdallah.

Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdel Aziz

Your Excellency president [Gaddafi]; your comments are rejected. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its people are not a slave of colonialism like yourself and others. Who brought you to power? Who brought people like yourselves to power? Tell us the truth, who brought you to power? Do not talk about things which have nothing to do with you. Lies precede you and the grave is ahead of you.
[At this point, the Egyptian TV interrupts the live broadcast]

Egyptian Satellite Channel TV, 1445 gmt 1 Mar 03

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UAE Information Minister Abdallah Bin-Zayid, on reaction to his country's call for Saddam Hussein to stand down in return for guarantees he would not be prosecuted

"The Arabs rejected the initiative as it would, in their view, constitute a grave precedent. This means the Arab states do not search for a real solution to stave off the war."

MENA news agency, 1846 gmt 1 Mar 03

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