Summit lead-up

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THE COUNTDOWN for the annual Arab summit has begun, finally. On 28 March, leaders of the 22- member states of the Arab League and its secretary-general are scheduled to meet in the Saudi capital to discuss a long list of strategic threats, political concerns and socio-economic plans of cooperation.

However, typical of all Arab gatherings, the run- up to the highest Arab congregation was marred by never-ending squabbles. The fact that this year's summit is to be hosted by Saudi King Abdullah is making it difficult for his number one Arab political foe, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, to participate. Gaddafi, Arab sources say, is reluctant to visit the Saudi capital.

The participation of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad is another concern in view of the political fall-out between Damascus and Riyadh in the wake of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Al-Hariri. Abdullah had explicitly accused Al-Assad "in his face", as sources say, of plotting the elimination of the Lebanese politician to avenge for his opposition to continued Syrian "interference" in Lebanon's affairs.

For the past few weeks, Cairo has stepped up its diplomatic efforts to smooth over the high-level tension in order to allow for the highest possible level of participation in the Riyadh summit.

This week, President Mubarak, whose invitation to the summit was delivered on Monday by a senior envoy of the Saudi ruler, intensified contacts that aim, according to his spokesman Suleiman Awad, "to pave the way towards a successful Arab summit".

On Tuesday, Mubarak flew to Riyadh to consult with Abdullah on ways to allay the concerns of both Gaddafi and Al-Assad. Also on Tuesday, Mubarak called up his Syrian opposite number to discuss the same issue. Relations between Egypt and Syria h ad been tense due to Cairo's concerns over the reluctance of Damascus to cooperate with the demands of the international community over the investigation in the killing of Al-Hariri. Cairo has also expressed apprehension over the political influence that Damascus exerts over political opposition in Lebanon and Palestine. However, Egyptian officials insist, Mubarak, a firm advocate of adherence to Arab summits, is keen that all Arab leaders appear in the gathering despite their differences. He has also advised extraordinary, limited meetings in which Arab leaders discuss the many political disturbances in the region