Arab FMs convene extra-ordinary meeting on Gaza

The Arab foreign ministers emergency meeting on the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip was held in the Cairo-based Arab League (AL) headquarters late Saturday. As the Israeli military operations on the Gaza Strip have continued for the fourth day, the Arab diplomats will discuss on the forming of a delegation led by AL Secretary General Nabil al- Arabi to Gaza to show solidarity and support for the Palestinian people. According to the state MENA news agency, the AL will issue a draft resolution stressing the importance of the Palestinian reconciliation and support for Egypt's efforts to achieve a long- term truce between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza. The AL will also reiterate calls for Israel to lift the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip and will demand an international protection to the Palestinian people. A statement issued by AL before the meeting said it is time for international community to stop being silent and to preclude the continuing Israeli aggression on the Palestinian territories, urging that officials and military personnel involving in the Israeli aggression should be pursued judicially. The statement also called on the Arab countries to offer medical and humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. Meanwhile, MENA quoted the Palestinian Ambassador to Egypt Barakat al-Farra as saying that "We will ask the foreign ministers during the AL meeting to exert their efforts to stop the Israeli belligerence against the besieged Gaza Strip."