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Last update - 22:06 09/03/2008 Despite rumors of rift, Syria invites Saudi Arabia to Arab summit By The Associated Press Tags: Lebanon, Saudi Arabia  A Syrian minister has delivered an invitation to Saudi Arabia to attend this month's Arab summit scheduled to be held in Damascus, the official Syrian news agency SANA reported Sunday. But in what appears to be part of the tension between Damascus and Riyadh, the invitation was handed over to Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal by Syria State Minister Bashar al-Shaar, and not by the foreign minister as usual. Last week, as Arab foreign ministers met in the Egyptian capital of Cairo to plan their annual summit's agenda, the body was riven with rumors that Egypt and Saudi Arabia would boycott the meeting to show their displeasure with Syria's meddling in Lebanon's serious political crisis. Advertisement Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem handed over a similar invitation to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak last month and was expected to visit Saudi, which had reportedly refused to set a date for him for days. SANA did not say why al-Shaar went to Saudi instead of al-Moallem. Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa told the Dubai-based Arabic-language TV network Al-Arabiya in remarks aired Sunday that Saudi Arabia will attend the two-day summit beginning March 29. He added that the level has not been specified yet. Individual countries often show their displeasure with the state of regional affairs or specifically the host countries by not sending their head of state. U.S.-backed Arab states, such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt, were reportedly threatening to boycott the gathering if no president is elected in Lebanon by then. Lebanon's parliament is scheduled to meet Tuesday and try for the 16th time to elect a new president. The country has been without a president since pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud's term ended last November, with no successor being elected. Related articles: Lebanese Army ends sectarian riots in Beirut after 14 hurt Damascus: Syrians to sue U.S. for selling weapons to Israel UN chief: Syria, Iran must honor embargo on arming Lebanese militias Bookmark to del.icio.us   State policy Olmert approves plan for 750 new homes in West Bank settlement of Givat Ze'ev. Sticking to his story Director of 'Jenin, Jenin' swears there are no falsehoods in his movie.   1.   they will warn syria about next month`s destruction of iran. 18:48  |  frenz 10/03/08

Today Online Abbas: Israel has agreed to a cease-fire with Hamas Responses: 261 Amos Oz: Left wing can return to power in next elections Responses: 102 Akiva Eldar: Israel knows the price it has to pay for security Responses: 47 AJC leader urges Israel to give 'Durban 2' meet a chance Responses: 48 Rosner's Domain Study: Boston's intermarried 'as observant' as Reform Jews Whose Jerusalem Is It, anyway? Poll: Should Abbas and Olmert continue their talks? An Israeli and a crocodile (WTR) Rosner's Mailbox: Stop focusing on Israel's favorability polls More Headlines 18:32 Abbas: Israel has agreed to cease-fire with Hamas 15:01 Cheney to visit Israel, PA this month on Middle East tour 18:22 Lieberman to Arab MKs: One day we will 'take care of you' 16:39 NIS 400M added to budget allotted to protecting Gaza-area communities 18:48 Yeshiva gunman's family say funeral will be at dawn to avoid media frenzy 14:43 In show of modesty, Haredi women make up in private 12:03 Egyptian troops kill Sudanese man trying to cross into Israel 10:12 AJC leader urges Israel to give 'Durban 2' conference a chance 16:04 Junior faculty union warns of looming university strike 18:52 Jerusalem plans 400 new homes for Jews in eastern part of capital Previous Editions Select Day 09 mar 07 mar 06 mar 05 mar 04 mar 03 mar 02 mar 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb

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