Arab League chief urges Trump to re-examine his approach on Jerusalem

BEIRUT, Jan 20 (KUNA) -- The visiting Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmad Abul Gheit on Friday expressed hope the upcoming US president Donald Trump would take a vigilant approach regarding status of the holy city of Jerusalem.
Speaking at an impromptu news conference as he emerged from a meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Abul Gheit said recent remarks by Trump on Jerusalem "have been preoccupying us .. they need to be pondered and followed up to determine what the new American president will do in this respect." He was alluding to Trump's remarks vowing to move the US embassy to the sacred city, a remark that has drawn an a wave of sharp criticisms and warnings from various influential Arab and Muslim quarters.
On the Arab League role in diplomatic efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis, the Arab League chief said the organization had opted for years to give space for UN intervention noting that the strife there has regional and international dimensions.
He affirmed the Arab League support for Lebanon and indicated that the talks with the president dealt with preparations for the upcoming Arab summit.
Abul Gheit arrived in Beirut earlier today. He had met the president, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri. (end) wsm.rk