The Palestinian issue will figure high on the agenda of the 30th regular session of the Arab Summit, Arab League Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Hossam Zaki was quoted as saying in a section of the media. The summit is scheduled to kick off here on Sunday. Arab League's Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs Kamal Hassan Ali was also quoted as saying that the summit will have to tackle difficult political challenges. All options are on the table after a "US decision to forcefully grant Arab lands to others," the ambassador told an Arabic newspaper. On Monday Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the US decision does not change the area's status. As regards Yemen, Zaki said the Arab League was fully supporting legitimacy in Yemen, adding that Stockholm agreement to settle the dispute has not yet been implemented. A number of high-level preparatory meetings began in Tunis on Tuesday to set the stage for the 30th Arab League summit. Director-General for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Tunisian Ministry of Trade and Industry Saeeda Hashisha chaired the meeting of the Arab League's Economic and Social Council. She emphasized the importance of the greater Arab trade zone, as well as adopting a number of strategies to reduce risks and disasters, in addition to combating terrorism, and eradicating poverty. Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Social Affairs Sector of Arab League Ambassador Haifa Abu Ghazaleh praised the efforts exerted by Saudi Arabia during its presidency and management of the previous summit. — Agencies
