Arabs work for unified approach

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit

The Egyptian foreign minister hosts the first in a series of high profile meetings

Arab foreign ministers are meeting in Cairo to formulate a united approach on the Middle East peace process.

The meeting is the first since the election of the right-wing Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

It comes ahead of a flurry of diplomatic activity in the coming weeks, focussing on the Middle East.

The ministers are also to discuss a report on alleged crimes committed by Israel in the Gaza strip last January.

The Arab foreign ministers will be discussing how to restart "serious and direct negotiations" between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

'Clear vision'

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak is to meet the Israeli prime minister in the Red Sea resort Sharm al-Sheikh on Monday.

Later this month Mr Mubarak, Mr Netanyahu and Palestinian leaders are all scheduled to travel to Washington.

The BBC's Christian Fraser in Cairo says that Iran remains Israel's top priority.

Instead of a two state solution backed by the US and the European Union Mr Netanyahu is calling for a "triple-track" peace process that includes progress on the political, security and economic front.

A spokesman for the Arab League said the Arab states should emerge from today's meeting in Cairo with a clear vision of how to deal with the new Israeli government.

"Some of the Israeli policies should be confronted firmly," the spokesman said.

The Arab foreign ministers will also decide whether to send their report on alleged Israeli crimes in Gaza to the International Criminal Court.