Arab League meets on Gaza response

CAIRO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Arab League members met Wednesday in Cairo to formulate a response to Israel's airstrikes against Palestinian militants in Gaza, observers said.

The emergency meeting, led by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, aims to secure an immediate suspension of the Israeli military attacks in Gaza, KUNA, the Kuwait news agency, reported.

Unnamed sources told KUNA that a deliberation round prior to the official Arab League meeting focused on the need to stop bickering among Arab states over taking action to assist the Palestinians, which leaders said would only serve to weaken the Arab stance.

Meeting participants said the ministers would also discuss taking action at the international level to pressure Israel into halting its attacks on Gaza, KUNA said.

As many as 20 Arab foreign ministers and representatives of Somalia were taking part in the meeting.