The Arab League is examining a request by Qatar to hold an emergency meeting for Arab foreign ministers to settle disagreements over plans to create an Arab neighborhood forum that includes Turkey and Iran, Arab diplomatic sources said today.
The exceptional Arab summit, held in Sert, Libya on 9 October, saw Arab states disagree over reforms to the Arab League and the Arab League secretary-general’s initiative to create a neighborhood forum that includes Turkey, Iran and Ethiopia.
The same sources told Al-Masry Al-Youm that Secretary-General of the Arab League Amr Moussa is contacting Arab foreign ministers to meet, upon the request of Qatar.
The sources also said that Qatar has asked for the meeting to be held as soon as possible to reach a decision that takes into account remarks made by Arab countries during the latest Arab summit in Libya.
The Arab League General Secretariat said a memorandum has been sent to all Arab states asking for a response to the Qatari request.
According to the Arab League’s internal regulations, an exceptional meeting at the ministerial level requires a request from one of the member states or a request from the Arab League secretary-general that is approved by two member states.
Saudi Arabi, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain previously opposed the inclusion of Iran in the proposed Arab neighborhood forum.
Qatar, meanwhile, maintains close ties with Iran.
