SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt — Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinians sought Thursday to persuade skeptical Arab nations to attend a U.S.-sponsored Mideast peace conference, insisting it could open the door to a Palestinian state in the next year. Saudi Arabia and Syria remain the most important holdouts.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak held a mini-summit with the leaders of Jordan and the Palestinians in this Red Sea resort, bringing together the strongest Arab supporters of next week’s conference in Annapolis, Md.
So far, Saudi Arabia and Syria have appeared unconvinced that the conference will bring significant peace commitments from Israel.
The Saudis want a firm timetable for negotiations on the important issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while the Syrians are pressing for Annapolis to address the Israeli-held Golan Heights.
Late Thursday, foreign ministers and two ambassadors from countries on the Arab League’s peace initiative committee began informal meetings in Cairo. The talks are expected to chisel a unified Arab stand on the Annapolis conference that would be endorsed today at an official League meeting.
