Source: The International Middle East Media Center (IMEMC) - http://www.imemc.org/article/46663
23/01/2007

Arab League Chief Criticizes the Quartet Committee

Tuesday January 23, 2007 12:40 by Rami Almeghari - IMEMC&Agencies rami at imemc dot org
Secretary General of the Arab States League, Amr Moussa, called yesterday for a comprehensive solution for the Middle East conflict, criticizing the international Quartet.

Moussa’s remarks came during a symposium at the Royal Belgium Institute for International relations in Brussels yesterday, where Moussa sharply criticized the Quartet Committee for Middle East for what he called the Quartet’s ‘ineffective role’.

The Quartet Committee (United States, United Nations, Europe, Russia), only issues statements, and that is not enough”.

Mr. Moussa stressed that once the current chance for peace is lost, finding a solution for the Palestinian question will take a very long time.

He also maintained that the Arab side has been determined to reach peace with Israel through various peace initiatives; however, Israel has not lived up to its obligations.

The Arab League chief asserted that his organization is keen to have a Weapons of Mass Destruction- free Middle East, provided that this policy applies to all countries, with no exceptions.

The International Quartet has been set over the past few years to work out a resolution for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in accordance with the Road Map peace plan, which calls for a two state solution for Palestine and Israel. So far, the Quartet has failed to carry out its task as effectively as is required.