Hosni Mubarak
Photo: Reuters
Egypt skips key Arab summit on unity
Mubarak won't attend Doha conference on Palestinian discord, international pressure on Sudan; Cairo to send minor Cabinet official in his stead
Egypt's president will not be attending a key Arab League summit, sending a minor Cabinet official instead.
Arab foreign ministers in the Qatar capital of Doha have prepared for the summit by calling for unity among members of the 22-nation organization to confront Palestinian discord and international pressure on Sudan.
"The challenges are big and the risks are great" warned Qatari Foreign Minister Sheik Hamad bin Jassem Al Thani on Saturday.
The main topics to be addressed include the international arrest warrant for Sudan's president and Palestinian divisions.
The Egyptian state news agency gave no reason for President Hosni Mubarak's absence from the summit. Qatar and Egypt have recently been at odds.
