Arab economic summit begins in Kuwait

KUWAIT CITY - An Arab League (AL) summit began here Monday to discuss the Gaza crisis as well as global economic meltdown.

The heads of state of the 22-member Arab League (AL) and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon are attending the conference to discuss a range of issues, including Gaza and the economic crisis.

In the opening speech, Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah announced that the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) would need $34 million for Gaza reconstruction.

The summit, called by the Kuwaiti Emir and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, is expected to create a ‘road map’ for the development of the Arab economy as well as other social and developmental issues.

Officials said the summit is first of its kind since the establishment of the bloc in 1945.

The two-day summit, which comes amid the global financial crisis, would address issues like poverty, health, education, employment and water, among others.