Priscilla Mazenotti
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília - The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Amre Moussa, declared that one of the aims of the countries of the region at the South America - Arab Countries Summit, which got underway today in Brasília, is to back the war on terrorism, "which thwarts our growth and national development."

In his opening speech at the Summit, Moussa urged support for the Palestinian people, who are struggling for an independent State. "We want Israel to withdraw from the occupied territory, because this is a correct demand by the Palestinian people. It is ethical and fair. Not taking this step and ignoring the requests of the Palestinian people would be tantamount to provoking international chaos. It would mean the continuation of conflicts that we all want to avoid." Moussa also said that the international community awaits the reestablishment of sovereignty in Iraq. "The international community desires a new future for this nation."

At the close of his address, Moussa emphasized that the Summit will be fundamental to the search for peace and the establishment of beneficial cooperation among nations. "All of this should contribute to our march that should begin here at this Summit."

Translation: David Silberstein