BEIRUT, Lebanon, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Saudi King Fahd on Monday urged Arab countries to consolidate their efforts to protect common interests and confront Israel's continued aggression against the Palestinians.
Fahd's appeal came in a letter delivered by Saudi State Minister Musaed Mohammed al Aiban to Lebanese President Emile Lahoud. Al Aiban's arrival in Beirut Monday was an unscheduled visit.
"The Arab nation at this time ... should be more determined to consolidate brotherhood ties and cooperation to protect the Arab interests and face the challenges facing our nation, primarily the Israeli aggression," the Saudi monarch said.
In his statement he said Arab countries have succeeded throughout history in overcoming "all difficulties that have faced them" and expressed hope that they would "overcome all the obstacles intercepting their modern march."
Fahd said he hoped that Arab League summit, scheduled for March 27-28 in Beirut, "would achieve all our nation's hopes and goals."
Reacting to the statement, Lahoud praised Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah for his recent statements that "supported the Arab position and defended Palestinian rights and steadfastness against Israel's continued aggressions in the occupied Palestinian territories."
He said the summit would be "a chance to confirm Arab unity and solidarity," and noted "Saudi Arabia's role in clarifying a unified Arab vision."
Last week, Abdullah proposed a Saudi peace initiative that envisages normalized relations between Israel and Arabs nations in exchange for a withdrawal to the pre-1967 Six-Day War borders that would include ceding part of Jerusalem to the Palestinians.
