LEADERS CONFIRM ATTENDANCE AT ARAB-SOUTHAM EVENT IN LIMA

Lima, August 13 (PL)- Several South American presidents and heads of State or Government from Lebanon, Palestine, Morocco, Qatar and Kuwait will attend the 3rd Summit between South America and Arab Countries (ASPA) to be held in Peru in October.

The announcement was made by Peruvian Deputy Foreign Minister Jose Beraun, during the launch of the bi-regional summit, scheduled for October 1-2 in the Peruvian capital.

The Moroccan king, the emir of Qatar and the presidents of Lebanon and Palestine, as well as Kuwait's prime minister, are among participants. Syria will not attend the summit because it was suspended from the Arab League, Beraun said.

All South American governments and about 20 Arab countries have sent senior officials to the meeting, the official added.

According to Beraun, the nations from both blocs are willing to participate in the meeting, due to affinities and common interests such as cooperation, peace and development prevail.

He pointed out that a delegation from the organizing committee for the ASPA event will attend the 6th Summit of the Non-Aligned Countries Movement, to be held on August 30 and 31 in Iran. The objective is to secure the participation of other countries that have not confirmed their attendance at the Lima meeting.

A business meeting and bilateral gatherings among participants will be held parallel to the meeting, on the first day of the Summit on October 1, Beraun said.

President Ollanta Humala will open the ASPA Summit on October 2. The meeting has been postponed twice due to the crisis in the Middle East.

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