Syria and Libya Urge End to Talks with Israel; Return to Armed Struggle

Host Libya and Syria have told fellow participants at the Arab summit to end peace talks with Israel and return to violence. The call to arms comes as the summit prepares to back a conditional return to talks; specifically, indirect negotiations brokered by the United States. The Libyan/Syrian position was reported by the Associated Press, citing two unnamed delegates to the summit. Syrian President Bashar Al-Asad was reportedly the most vociferous voice calling for armed conflict while Libya’s Mu’ammar Al-Qadhafi threatened to withdraw his nation’s support for the so-called Arab Peace Plan, first launched in 2002 as the “Saudi Plan.” Aides to Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud ‘Abbas rejected the violent approach, calling it “unrealistic.” Some observers see the marked increase in U.S. pressure on Israel as boosting Arab confidence in the American administration.