Saudis Will Attend Mideast Summit

But there won't be any 'theatrical shows' of affection for Israel
By John Lister,  Newser User
Posted Nov 23, 2007 11:23 AM CST
Saudis Will Attend Mideast Summit
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem addresses the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters Monday, Oct. 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Ed Betz)   (Associated Press)

Saudi Arabia will attend next Tuesday’s Arab-Israeli summit in Maryland, Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said today, but he won't be shaking hands with any Israelis, the BBC reports. Prince Saud said at a meeting of the Arab League that the Saudis were reluctant to go, but since the League reached a consensus in favor of attending, "the kingdom will walk along with its brothers in one line.”

But he added that he was "not prepared to take part in a theatrical show, in handshakes and meetings that don't express political positions." Egypt and Jordan are also on board for the summit, but Syria remains unconfirmed. Syria has refused to go unless the summit addresses the disputed Golan Heights; whether it's on the agenda is not yet clear. (More Middle East stories.)

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