The Arab League will participate in ceremonies announcing South Sudan's status as a new country in Juba, the South Sudanese capital, on Saturday. Other nations will also participate in the ceremonies. Salva Kiir, South Sudan's new prime minister, invited the new head of the Arab League, Egypt's Nabil al-Arabi, to participate in the celebrations. Arabi, however, will not attend becayse he is still in the process of assuming the duties of former Secretary General Amr Moussa. Mohamed el-Khlmeshi, the secretary general's assistant for media affairs, will represent the Arab League at the ceremonies. El-Khlmeshi said the secretary general welcomes recognizing South Sudan as a new country. "The Arab League will pay intention to developing South Sudan as a new country," said el-Khlmeshi.