Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
25 March 2002
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, together with UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, Head of the Organisation of Islamic Conference, Dr Abdelouahed Belkeziz, and the Foreign Policy Chief of the EU, Javier Solama have been invited to attend the Arab Summit scheduled for 27-28 March in Beirut, Lebanon.
Minister Dlamini Zuma, who is attending the Summit, is standing in for President Thabo Mbeki who was invited in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), by the Lebanese President, General Emile Lahoud, who is the host and incoming Chairperson of the Arab League.
Minister Dlamini Zuma will be accompanied to the Summit by Ambassador Frank Mdlalose and Foreign Affairs Deputy Director-General for Asia/Middle East, Dr Anil Sooklal.
South Africa, as Chair of the NAM, has been mandated to interact with leading role-players in an effort to find a just and lasting solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. In this regard, President Thabo Mbeki hosted a Presidential Retreat on the Middle East in Stellenbosch's Spier Wine Estate, in January 2002, in an effort to strengthen the peace movement in both Palestine and Israel.
The Arab Summit is expected to discuss the Saudi Arabian Peace initiative aimed at ending the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Another major issue for discussion is the Iraqi crisis. In this context, there is general consensus among members of the Arab League that the use of force will not help address the underlying problems.
Minister Dlamini Zuma who is expected to address the Summit during the Opening Session will among others, call for a consolidation of the Afro-Arab co-operation and support for NEPAD as a basis for the renewal of the continent.
For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.