RIYADH, March 26, 2007, (WAFA)-The Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Saud Al-Faisal said Monday that the Palestinian cause is the first of Arab cause and the axis of the problems that plague our region.

In his speech before the meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers in preparation for Arab Summit in Riyadh this week, the FM said that the Kingdom is keen to emerge from this summit "one Arab voice" about the crucial issues, especially the Palestinian issue.

The FM added that the Arab peace initiative is the best framework to achieve a comprehensive and just solution, not only to the Palestinian-Israeli problem but for the entire Arab-Israeli conflict, stressing that the more Arab stance is clear and strong, the higher the chances of international adoption of this initiative and the possibility of entering into serious negotiations to achieve a just and comprehensive peace that provides security and stability for all the parties in this conflict.

The Saudi Minister received today the presidency of the current session of the Council of Arab Foreign Ministers from the President of the previous session, the Sudanese Foreign Minister, Dr. Lam Akol.

M.H.(13:22 P)(11:22 GMT)