SHARM EL-SHEIKH - Peace will inevitably prevail in the Middle East despite Israel's evasion and comprehensive Arab development would take place whatever the hardships and challenges were, President Hosni Mubarak told Arab leaders gathering in Egypt's Red Sea resort Sharm el-Sheikh for the second Arab Economic, Development and Social Summit Wednesday.
The summit marks the first gathering of Arab leaders since a popular uprising sparked by the self-immolation of an unemployed man forced the veteran Tunisian leader Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to flee his country on Friday.
The incident also sparked a rash of copycat attempted public suicides by self-immolation in Arab countries by protesters.
"Peace is inevitable whatever Israeli evasions were," Mubarak said as he took the summit chair from Kuwait. He added that the Arab countries should make use of the potential boasted by more than 300 million Arabs
Mubarak cited problems of rising prices, job creation and other economic issues in the region in his opening address, but made no direct reference to Tunisia. He largely blamed such problems on global issues.
"We have realised that the priority of economic cooperation and development is no longer just about progress for our people...but a basic demand of Arab national security," he said.
"Employment and creating employment opportunities will remain one of the most important challenges we face ... We have priorities to achieve food security and combat climate change impacts," Mubarak added.
Mubarak, however, made no reference to the Tunisian revolt, but said tackling development and economic cooperation have become national security priorities.
"We are not isolated from the world with its problems, challenges and crises," Mubarak, who has been in power for three decades, told the summit.
This summit continued to push forward the inter-Arab co-operation in upgrading infrastructure, including a pan-Arab network of railway, maritime transport, grid and communications and support the development of private sector, especially small and medium-sized enterprises.
Arab leaders, many of whom rule over populations that share similar grievances to Tunisia's protesters, have denied any similarity with Tunisia but the comparison came up in the opening speeches of the summit in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Tunisian Foreign Minister Kamel Morjane left Egypt Wednesday before the start of the summit, which he was due to attend without giving any reasons for his sudden departure.
Arab League chief Amr Moussa, meanwhile, said in his speech the economic grievances that triggered the Tunisian uprising hit close to the summit's discussion.
"The revolution that happened in Tunisia is not far from the subject of this summit," he said. "And it is not far from what is going through the minds of many...the Arab soul is broken by poverty and unemployment."
Kuwait's leader Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Jaber said he hoped Tunisians would stand together, as the country has continued to see deadly protests since Ben Ali's departure.
"Kuwait has followed with deep interest the situation in Tunisia" he said, stressing that his country "respects the choices of the brotherly Tunisian people."
"We look to the efforts by our brothers (in Tunisia) to stand together in order to overcome this sensitive phase... and reach a national consensus that will achieve peace and security."
The summit also takes place as early results indicate most Southern Sudanese voted for independence in a referendum this month that is expected to partition Africa's largest country.
