Abul Gheit Calls for Resolving Row between Lebanon and Libya

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Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit on Sunday voiced regret over Libya’s boycott of Beirut’s Arab Economic and Social Development Summit.

“I’m feeling sad because Libya’s delegation has not participated in the summit and over the circumstances that have brought things to this point,” Abul Gheit said in his opening remarks at the summit.

“Libya and Lebanon are two dear countries and we hope this issue will be resolved,” Abul Gheit added.

Libya had decided to boycott the summit in protest at the removal of its flag near the summit’s venue at the hands of AMAL Movement supporters.

Threats were also voiced against the Libyan delegation by AMAL supporters and MPs and the General Security agency barred Libyan businessmen from entering Lebanon via Beirut’s airport.

AMAL and its leader Speaker Nabih Berri argue that the new Libyan authorities have not exerted sufficient efforts to unveil the fate of the movement’s revered founder Imam Moussa al-Sadr, who disappeared in 1978 during a visit to Libya.

Berri has boycotted the summit and is being represented by MP Yassine Jaber.