The intensified Arab diplomatic activities Egypt is leading have only one significance, which is what Arabs going to do at Annapolis peace conference next Tuesday?

It is fair to say that Arab leaders interested in the peace process tried their best to coordinate Arab stances and tried as well to reach common grounds in dealing with the challenges represented in this conference, especially as the US administration is trying to get definitive results out of this conference.

Thus, the tripartite summit held in Sharm El Sheikh yesterday by President Mubarak, Jordanian King Abdullah II and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was most keen to support the Palestinian negotiator for serious negotiations with definite timetable along the road of peace by Palestinians and Israelis.

This tripartite meeting was preceded with several other meetings by President Mubarak for having the Palestinian delegating enjoying the support and encouragement of all Arabs.

The tripartite summit of Sharm El Sheikh was preceded with a four man summit two weeks ago comprised President Mubarak, Sudanese President Omar Bashir, Yemeni President Abdullah Saleh and Iraqi President Jalal Talbani.

All four leaders stressed their support to the Palestinian leaders who are waging the present peace battle.

The Arab league is hosting today a meeting by Foreign Ministers of the Arab peace initiative countries to have a joint stance concerning the Arab participation in Annapolis peace conference.

Arabs are trying to reach a unified stance before going to Annapolis, but still there are some discrepancies in the stances of some Arab parties and Arab diplomacy is required to settle them in order to go to the conference with one stance.

This unified Arab strategy would enable the Palestinian negotiator to face expected pressures during the conference and the negotiations to ensue.

November 23, 2007

Al Ahram