Arab foreign ministers kicked off meetings at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo by announcing an Arab summit will be convened as scheduled on March 29 in Damascus, Syria, the Syrian Arab news agency said.

Regarding the Israeli conflict with militants in Gaza, Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said, "Israel's latest aggression on Gaza has destroyed the final opportunity for settlement."

Israel has been reacting to a series of missile attacks from militants in Gaza.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said Lebanon should develop a national unity government that reflects the partnership of the Lebanese people and said the Arab summit could include the Lebanese crisis on its agenda.

Moussa also said the reason for the Israeli visit by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was to justify the presence of U.S. warships in the region.