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February 18, 2008
No. 5528

Syrian-Saudi Tensions In Advance Of Arab League Summit In Damascus

A knowledgeable Syrian source has said that Saudi Foreign Minister Sa'ud Al-Faisal's visit to Russia and France is aimed at thwarting the Arab League summit, meant to take place in Damascus at the end of next month.

The source also said that the visit was aimed at internationalizing the Lebanon crisis.

Also, Arab diplomatic sources said that Saudi Arabia refused to approve a visit by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al-Mu'alem to the kingdom, during which he had intended to give Saudi King Abdullah an invitation to the summit.

Source: Al-Arab, Qatar, February 17, 2008; Al-Siyassa, Kuwait, February 18, 2008

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