The ambassadors for Arab countries based in BrasÀlia, the capital city of Brazil, met yesterday, November 21, with Brazilian Minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim.
According to a statement issued by the Itamaraty (the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Relations), the theme of the meeting was the current situation in Palestine.
The ambassador of Sudan, Rahamtalla Mohamed Osman, spoke of the group’s concern regarding "the serious incidents that took place during the last weeks in the Gaza Strip."
According to the Itamaraty, Amorim reaffirmed the Brazilian stance of seeking a negotiated solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, through the creation of a Palestinian State.
He recalled the suggestion of president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, made during the General Assembly of the United Nations, of calling a summit meeting on the Middle East, to be attended by the countries in the region and by other interested parties, especially developing nations.
Osman and the Palestinian ambassador Mayada Bamie, according to the Itamaraty, have shown their "regard for the position of the Brazilian government." Lebanese ambassador Fouad El-Khoury gave "thanks on behalf of his government for the position and actions of Brazil with regard to Lebanon."
Also present were diplomats from Syria, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, Libya and the League of Arab States.
Still according to the statement issued by the Itamaraty, Amorim suggested that another meeting be carried out, in order to discuss the relationship of Brazil with the Arab world as a whole.
Anba