In a move calculated to win more support in the Arab world, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia described the American occupation in Iraq as "illegal" and urged the leaders gathered at the ongoing Arab League summit to unite in order to protect their region from foreign influence. Saudi Arabia has long been a staunch ally of the United States, but recent rhetoric and the visit of Iranian diplomats to Riyadh suggest that the Kingdom may be forging a new direction for its foreign policy.

Libyan leader, Moammar Qadaffi, who has boycotted the summit, claimed during an interview with Al Jazeera that the meeting's outcome has been scripted by the US State Department.

From Madrid11.net Security Briefs, March 29

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