Arab League summit opening marred by boycotts
Saturday, 29 Mar 2008 10:48
The Arab League summit is being held in the capital of Syria, Damascus
The opening day of the Arab League summit in Damascus has been marred by a spate of snubs from Arab leaders.
Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan have sent junior representatives to the summit which is usually a meeting of heads of state.
Lebanon has also refused to send any representatives to the conference as countries in the region protest against Syria's alleged political interference into the affairs of its neighbour.
Syrian foreign minister Walid Moualem has blamed the US for the problems at the conference by saying that it was working to divide Arab allies.
"They (the United States) did their best to prevent the summit but they failed. Their aim is to divide the Arab world. There will be a very successful summit."
Mr Moualem added that there would be no mention of the US on the summit's work or agenda
Lebanon has been without a president since last November as its parliament is split between pro- Syria and anti-Syria parties. Arab states staying away from the meeting have accused the stern critic of the US of obstructing efforts to elect a consensus president and thereby prolonging the country's political crisis.