Arab foreign ministers convened in Algiers yesterday in preparations for the 17th Arab League (AL) summit, with Arab reforms, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and Iraq high on the agenda.
In his opening address, AL chief Amr Moussa called for Arab unity when facing these challenges posed for the whole Arab world.
"To solve all the issues, all Arab countries should coordinate stances and promote collective actions," Moussa said.
On the AL reforms, Moussa urged all members to implement details spelled out in last year's Tunisia summit.
"Without collective efforts by all members, the Arab League cannot play its role," Moussa added.
Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelaziz Belkahadem presided over the ministerial meeting, stressing the importance of carrying out reforms within the bloc.
"The reforms in the Arab League have the support of Arab people. In order to help the Arab League play its proper role at both the regional and international levels, implementing reforms is essential," the Algerian minister said.
About 19 foreign ministers from the 22-member pan-Arab organization attended the meeting, which was opened at 12:30 a.m. (1130 GMT).
The top diplomats would coordinate stances and close Arab ranks on contentious issues to pave the way for the opening of the 17th AL summit due on March 22-23 here.
The most thorny issue was Arab reforms, which triggered outcry among Arab countries and led directly to a delay for the Tunisia summit last year.
Another contentious point focused on a Jordanian proposal, calling for an Arab rapprochement with Israel, which drew opposition from some countries, the Qatar-based al-Jazeera reported on its website.
AL spokesman Hossam Zaki told Xinhua he was looking forward to finding solutions to these issues in the Algiers summit.
This year's summit, also dedicated to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the bloc's establishment, came against a backdrop of an Arab world marked by dramatic changes.
In Iraq, sovereignty was handed over and a parliament was elected.
In the Palestinian territories, the charismatic leader Yasser Arafat died and a new leadership sworn to peace with Israel emerged.
Syrian-Lebanese ties were rattled by the assassination of former Lebanese premier Rafik Hariri and Syria came under mounting international pressure to relinquish its military presence in neighboring Lebanon.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan was also expected to attend the upcoming summit, Algerian organizers said.