A total of 13 Arab foreign ministers or their representatives convened in Cairo Tuesday morning to discuss the issues of Iraq and Palestine.

Earlier in the day, Arab League chief Amr Moussa denied that sending Arab forces to Iraq will be on the agenda of the meeting.

"Iraq's seat at the Arab League will be filled by a legitimate government," Moussa said, quoted by Egypt's official MENA news agency.

"The Arab League could deal with Iraq's Interim Governing Council as a step toward the formation of an Iraqi government," he said.

Arab countries have extended welcome to the establishment of the council, which was seen as a step toward ending the US occupation of the oil-rich Gulf country.

The Interim Governing Council has become the first national executive body in the war-torn country following former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's ouster on April 9, triggered by a US-ledwar on Iraq.

The 25-member governing body will have the power to appoint ministers, approve national budget and select members of a committee to draft a new constitution. But top US civilian administrator in Iraq, Paul Bremer, has a final say.

(Xinhua News Agency  August 6, 2003)