ASPA leaders voice concern for Syria, Palestine

LIMA, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Arab and South American leaders Tuesday expressed their concern for growing violence in the Middle East during the the Third Summit of South American and Arab Countries (ASPA) in Peru's capital Lima.

ASPA members said spiraling violence in Syria and the drawn out struggle in Palestine threatened the stability, growth and prosperity of the region.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said, "the crisis in Syria represents the biggest challenge Arab countries face today," and warned "the crisis can be catastrophic not just for Syria, but for the entire region."

Zebari also said a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was long overdue, saying "the Palestinian question is a central issue to the Arab world" and "today, Israel continues its policy of occupation and refuses to respond to the demands of international bodies."

Peru's President Ollanta Humala said the Palestinian question would be on the top ASPA's list of "common joint principles" to be discussed in the lead up to a final Lima Declaration expected later Tuesday.

As part of the declaration, ASPA members are also expected to endorse an Arab initiative for a nuclear weapons-free Middle East, as they have done in previous summits.

The summit is preceded by a meeting of Foreign Ministers Monday, as well as a CEO summit dedicated to promoting trade and investment.

The first ASPA summit was held in Brazil in 2005, and the second in Qatar in 2009. Enditem