Palestinian state key to Mideast peace: UN official

Speaking at the Zayed International Centre for Coordination and Follow-Up in the capital yesterday, Mr Ogi called upon heads of states who attended the recent Sharm El Sheikh Summit to form football teams that could take on one another, adding that such events would promote mutual understanding, tolerance and respect.

He said that there was no way of achieving peace in the Middle East unless an independent Palestine state was established alongside Israel. He hoped that the Aqaba Summit will come up with results that will help achieve this goal.

Mr Ogi also expressed surprise over the absence of the UN and Arab League at the Sharm El Sheikh Summit.

Mr Ogi called for a bigger role for the UN in the recontruction of Iraq, as the US alone cannot do this, given the present international volatile situation.

He also urged the G-8 countries to coordinate their efforts with the UN for the implementation of UN resolutions, to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. The war in Iraq had turned the world attention away from famine and epidemics in Africa and Asia, he said.

Meanwhile, the Centre will host today a lecture on the future of the Arab world under the shadow of current changes, by noted Saudi writer and economist Hussein Shubukshi.