Arab Nations "Will Not Participate"

Leaders from 22 Arab countries yesterday strongly opposed the planned US-led military attack on Iraq as a threat to Arab national security, and said their countries would not participate in any war.

A final communique issued after the one-day summit here also blasted the “attempts to impose changes in the region,” in a reference to US demands that President Saddam Hussein be removed from power.

US media might carry the message about one Arab country asking Saddam to step down but I doubt they will carry the story about all Arab countries saying they will not support this war.

Another diplomatic defeat for the US. The US supported UAE proposal asking for Saddam's government to leave was not even discussed.