Arab leaders as diverse as Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal have decried South Sudan's independence.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Sudanese crossroads

Earlier in Cairo, Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations decided to attend, but the Saudi foreign minister, Saud al-Faisal, insisted he would not allow "theatrics" like handshakes with Israeli officials, saying the gathering must make serious progress.

NPR: Expert Looks at Topics on Tap for Mideast Meeting

The Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, said that the Arabs and Americans had exchanged commitments towards one another and he welcomed what he called a new willingness by President Bush to engage pro-actively in the Middle East.

BBC: Arab leaders denounce violence

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, suggested that a multinational force from Muslim countries could help to keep the peace in Iraq , whose interim government enthusiastically cited Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tunisia and Yemen as likely participants.

ECONOMIST: Rapid reaction

In contrast Amre Moussa, the secretary-general of the Arab League, and Prince Saud al-Faisal, the Saudi foreign minister, both made warmly received speeches admitting to problems in the Arab world but urging America to let Arabs decide how to solve them.

ECONOMIST: Arab-Americans: That patronising tone | The

In mid-June, as the White House was drafting the President's Middle East policy speech, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal met with Bush and handed him a letter from his uncle Abdullah urging the U.S. to promote a "clear vision" in the speech, including geographical boundaries and a timetable for Palestinian statehood.

CNN: Do We Still Need the Saudis?

Earlier this month, Gillett travelled to Saudi Arabia to meet Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah al-Saud, who may acquire "anything from nought to 100%" of the club, according to his aides.

BBC: Reds fans march in owner protest