TOKYO, March 30, 2007 (WAFA) -- Japan on Friday welcomed "numerous constructive messages" delivered at the Arab League Summit towards resolving conflicts in the Middle East, Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Mitsuo Sakaba said in a statement.

"We highly appreciate the leadership of Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz who chaired and brought it to a successful conclusion," Sakaba said. The spokesman also pledged Japan's continued support to help achieve stability in the Middle East.

Arab leaders wrapped up their two-day summit in Riyadh on Thursday, where they reaffirmed the 2002 land-for-peace plan for settling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Tatsuo Arima, Japan's special envoy for the Middle East peace process, attended the summit as an observer. Arima also had a series of meetings on the sidelines with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and other leaders, according to the ministry.

At each meeting, Arima briefed on Japan's recent endeavor toward promoting the Middle East peace process and discussed with each leader the prospect of the situation in the Middle East and policies to be taken by the international community.

Tokyo has been eager to play a role as a mediator between the Israelis and the Palestinians using its warm ties with Arab countries, and the government emphasizes that peace and stability in the Middle East are in Japan's national interest.

A.D (23:00 P) (20:00 GMT)