Arab FMs meet in Cairo

At the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Arab foreign ministers met to discuss the crisis in Libya in light of what was termed a new Arab "renaissance"

Arab foreign ministers met on Wednesday at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo for the 134th round of the Arab League Council. The turnout was modest, not exceeding a few ministers, most notable of which were the Egyptian, Iraqi, Omani and Jordanian FMs.
Oman presides over the current council round, which will last for 6 months.
Omani FM Yousef Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah stressed that the “joint Arab action since Arab independence from foreign occupation in the 50s” excluded the youth. He added that “today it is different, and it is necessary that there be a primary role for youth in the course of the new Arab renaissance.”
The statement came as protest movements against Sultan Qaboos bin Said – ruler for 40 years now – were witnessed in Oman.
Noticeable in the hall where the ministers met was the empty Libyan seat. A first, since the Libyan delegation was banned earlier this week.
But the Libyan people and the Libyan revolution were present in the content of the talks, and a moment of silence was taken in honour the martyrs of the Arab uprisings.
Secretary General Amr Mousa residing over the last council in his term said that “the Arab nation refuses to be at the mercy of coercive instructions dictated on it, and has decided to take into its hands the resistance of such dictatorial practices under the guise of republicanism and democracy and elections, all of which were emptied of credibility.”
Mousa directed hailed the Egyptian and Tunisian revolutions and all nations who yearn for “white” revolutions.
Mousa posed Libya as an example for those desiring such revolutions, noting that Libya is witnessing a tragic situation and attempts to quell their revolution, a result of which were calls for the implementation of chapter 7 of the UN Security Council on Libya.
“The most important achievement in those revolutions was breaking the barrier of fear,” Mousa said.
Egyptian FM Ahmed Abul Gheit, who was asked to leave his post by protesters gathered in front of the Arab League HQ, was the first to speak in the ministerial council.
“Egypt has witnessed one of the greatest revolutions, it also witnesses changes that will show that we will create a society which stands on the principles of freedom, justice, transparency and the right of participation,” Abul Gheit said.
Abul Gheit added that Egypt will continue to be a pillar in the defense of the Arab nation.
Ministers and delegates present in the meeting praised the revolutions in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, but did not mention Yemen, Algerian, Oman and Jordan.