SHARM EL SHEIKH,MARCH 1, 2003(WAM)
By Banadir.com

Arab leaders today concluded their 15th ordinary session here by expressing their absolute rejection of any war against Iraq or the threatening of the security and peace of any Arab country.

In their final communique, the leaders agreed on the formation of a committee consisting of the current, past and future chairmen and the Arab League Secretary General to present Arab position to the Security Council and consult with the Iraqi government.

The leaders welcomed the guarantees offered to Syria, member of the Security Council, that the Security Council resolution 1441 would not be used as a pretext for a war against Iraq. They welcomed Iraq's acceptance of the return the weapons inspectors and giving them unfettered access to peferom their duty with proactive cooperation and transparency.

The communique praised the position of countries that rejected war against Iraq due to the dangerous implications that such war would have on the stability of the region and the world as a whole. The leaders demanded more time to be given to the weapons inspectors to complete their work in Iraq, calling them also to carry out their duties with professionalism and objectivity.

They affirmed the responsibility of the Security Council to safeguard the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq as well the sovereignty and security of countries neighbouring Iraq.

They urged all countries not to participate in any war that threatens the security, peace and territorial integrity of any Arab country. Arab leaders have re-iterated their solidarity with the Iraqi people and demanded the lifting of the sanctions against Iraq.