RIYADH, March 19, 2007 (WAFA) -- Saudi Arabia expressed hope on Monday the upcoming Arab summit, due in Riyadh late next week, would meet ambitions of the Arab people and deals, in a transparent and credible manner, with challenges facing them.

The Saudi government chaired by King Abdullah, hoped the Riyadh Declaration would reflect a "real, practical and credible" beginning for the joint Arab action and that the summit would reunite the Arabs.

Minister of Culture and Information Ayad Madani, in a statement after the cabinet meeting, said the government welcomed formation of the Palestinian government and said the major powers should help lift the economic siege on the Palestinian people.

The Saudi government, he added, approved the bylaw of the Arab council for peace and security, whose mandate is to prevent conflicts between Arab countries and settle the already-existing ones.

H.M (21:50P) (19:50GMT)