Arab foreign ministers are to hold an emergency meeting today to discuss an Israeli invasion of Palestinian towns that has triggered furious protests in many Arab cities.
Arab officials and league sources said the meeting at the Arab League in Cairo would welcome a new US-led push for Middle East peace and stress Palestinians have the right to resist Israeli occupation.
"The draft resolution (of the emergency meeting) welcomes US President George W. Bush's speech about the right of Palestinians to establish their own state and Arabs take this as a positive step which should be implemented, as words alone are not enough," a League source said.
The draft also calls for a distinction to be made between terrorism and resistance to occupation, stressing that Palestinian resistance is a right enshrined in international laws and treaties, the source added.
Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said the ball was in Israel's court. Until Israel withdraws, the Arabs' stance will remain unchanged, Egypt's Middle East News Agencyquoted him as saying late last night.
Mr Moussa said he did not agree with all Mr Bush's comments, but added the speech had shown US readiness for swift action to tackle with the current situation .
Syria's official SANA news agency said Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara would not attend the meeting to protest against the recent Arab summit's failure to apply Syria's resolutions, particularly cutting ties with Israel and reviving the Arab economic boycott. Syria's league representative would attend instead.
Diplomats said Mr Shara's absence would soften the ministers' stances.
Tens of thousands protesters, defying rubber bullets and tear gas, took to the streets of Arab cities yesterday to show their anger against the Israeli offensive. Some demonstrators criticised Arab leaders for their perceived inaction.