Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (L) chats with Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa (C) and Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem during the second session of the two-day Arab Summit in Damascus March 30, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)

On Iraq, the declaration called for maintaining the country's unity and achieving full reconciliation as well as putting a quick end to foreign presence in the country in order to guarantee its security, stability and sovereignty.

It touches on in particular the recent clashes between Iraqi security troops and Shiite militiamen, calling for an immediate halt of the bloodshed and start of dialogue.

In the declaration, the summiteers also reiterated their commitment to an Arab initiative to help Lebanon defuse political stalemate, calling on the Lebanese factions to support Moussa's efforts to implement the plan.

On January 6, the 22-member pan-Arab bloc endorsed a resolution in Cairo, calling for an immediate election of Army commander Michel Suleiman as president, formation of a national unity government and adoption of a new election law.

Turning to Sudan, the declaration emphasizes the importance of its unity and stability while voicing support to efforts for achieving comprehensive peace and a final settlement in Darfur.

On security track, the Arab leaders condemned all forms of terrorism, calling for holding an international conference under UN supervision to define terrorism, and highlighting the need to differentiate between terrorism and the right to resisting occupation.

They also called for making the Middle East a region free of all weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons.

The two-day Damascus summit, starting from midday Saturday in Damascus, brought together only 11 Arab leaders, including President Bashar al-Assad of the host Syria, a mere half of the 22-member pan-Arab bloc.

Pro-Western Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan sent only low-key delegations to the gathering in a snub to Damascus over its alleged role in blocking a Lebanese presidential election. Lebanon boycotted the summit, sending no one to Damascus.

(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2008)