SHARM EL-SHEIKH (EGYPT), July 14, 2009 (WAFA) -- Leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) are expected to issue a 'strong' declaration on the issue of Palestine, with Egypt playing the lead role soon after taking over the helm of the 118-member grouping during a summit which begins here Wednesday, said the Malaysian news agency BERNAMA.

Besides calling on the United States, Russia and the European Union to use their influence on Israel to honour its commitments for the peace process, NAM foreign ministers also want Tel Aviv to be held accountable for the deaths and damage it had caused during the war on Gaza.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman, who attended a meeting of the NAM Ministerial Committee on Palestine, said NAM representatives pledged support to Egypt in bringing the relevant Palestinian parties together to talk and bridge the differences among them.

For Malaysia, unity is one of the crucial elements to liberate the Palestinians from Israeli occupation, Anifah Monday told Malaysian journalists covering the NAM summit in this Egyptian resort city.

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is scheduled to arrive later Tuesday to attend the 15th summit to be officially opened by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Wednesday.

'We are hopeful because after (Barack) Obama took over as president of the United States, he has urged Israel to respect the peace initiatives and he is most desirous to resolve the problem.