The 23rd regular session of the Arab summit was opened here this afternoon with the participation of a number of Arab leaders, representatives of four international organizations and a large number of representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Republic of Iraq. Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Mosques to Egypt and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Arab League is heading his country's delegation to the summit. Chairman of Libyan National transitional Council, Mustafa Abdul Jalil presided over the 23rd session of the summit due to his country's former presidency of Arab summit. After delivering the opening speech, Mustafa Abdul Jalil handed over the presidency of Arab summit to the Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, the current president of the Baghdad summit. Including nine items, the Declaration of Baghdad is scheduled to be approved today by the Arab leaders at the summit. Arab foreign ministers had approved Baghdad Declaration at their preparatory meeting yesterday. It addresses a number of important issues spearheaded by the Syrian crisis, the fight against terrorism, supporting the Palestinian cause and the restructuring of the Arab League.
