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PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. (AP) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 16:34 12/11/2007 Arab ministers to meet in Cairo ahead of Annapolis conference By Reuters tags: peace talks, Annapolis summit  Arab foreign ministers will meet in Cairo in the last 10 days of November to decide a common Arab position for the Middle East peace meeting the United States is trying to arrange in Annapolis, Arab officials said on Monday. Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki said Chairman Mahmoud Abbas would attend the meeting in person to brief the Arab ministers on the latest developments in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations on a joint document. "(The aim) is for all of us to contribute in setting out a common Arab vision and strategy and define the Arab position on the (Annapolis) meeting," he told reporters at the Arab League. Advertisement Israel and the Palestinians have been negotiating for weeks on a document which could form the basis of a new peace strategy to be agreed and announced at the Annapolis conference, expected to be held in late November. Malki blamed Israel for lack of progress on the document. "The obstinate side is Israel. We know that full well. That is our fate, that we have to deal with a totally obstinate position on Israel's side," he said. "In spite of that, we still insist that we are committed and eager to negotiate and coordinate with the Israeli side so that we can come up with a document acceptable to both sides and so that we can go to Annapolis," he added. Malki was speaking after talks in Cairo between Abbas and Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa, who also said a ministerial meeting would take place in late November. Moussa said it was not yet clear whether Israel was serious about making peace at the Annapolis meeting. Abbas had talks on Monday with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who later saw visiting European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana. Meanwhile, Israel announced it will release 300 to 400 Palestinian prisoners before the Annapolis summit later this month as a good-will gesture to the PA and Abbas. But this number falls far short of the nearly 2,000 Abbas had requested from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The list will not include prisoners who were involved in killing Israelis, described as having "blood on their hands." The release of the prisoners will be the only good-will gesture before Annapolis. Defense Minister Ehud Barak and the security chiefs are adamant in their opposition to lifting any roadblocks or checkpoints along roadways in the West Bank, fearing that this would undermine security and make it easier for terrorists to strike. Bookmark to del.icio.us Evangelists' warning Christian power-broker Gary Bauer warns of the dangers of 'islamofascism.' Iran is not afraid Iran's FM says Israel poses no threat to Iran and aggression will spark retaliation.

Today Online Israel to free up to 400 jailed Palestinians before summit Responses: 62 Zvi Bar'el: An Iran policy that's the opposite of sanctions Responses: 22 Five said killed as Hamas, Fatah clash at rally for Arafat Responses: 50 Religious or secular, regulars mourn end of Jerusalem's gay bar Responses: 20 Haaretz.com TV: Arab family takes in homeless Jews Responses: 103 Rosner's Domain The Ahmadinejad of the year (WTR) Ahead of summit, N.Y. Congressman fears for Mideast stability Rosner's Guest: Vanessa Ochs Poll: Should American Jews have a voice in shaping Israel's policies? More Headlines 15:26 Six said dead as Hamas, Fatah clash at Arafat rally 15:44 Erekat: Palestinians will not accept Israel as 'Jewish state' 15:10 IDF reservist dies in armored vehicle crash during Golan drill 15:39 Turkish President to Peres: Syria is interested in peace with Israel 15:59 VIEWPOINT / 'Israel Lobby' book may have sinister impact in U.K. 16:34 Arab ministers to meet in Cairo ahead of Annapolis conference 13:39 Netanyahu lobbies Ovadia Yosef in bid to stymie peace summit 14:26 Surgeons restore amputated fingers of basketball game guard 12:37 Knesset panel okays Western world's largest database for police use 10:08 MK Esterina Tartman to be probed in tax case against partner Previous Editions Select Day 11 nov 09 nov 08 nov 07 nov 06 nov 05 nov 04 nov 02 nov 01 nov 31 oct 30 oct 29 oct

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