1.
GV EXT. Arab League building with flags
0.06

2.
SV INT. Riad arrives
0.14

3.
SV Riad greets members & site
0.24

4.
SV ZOOM IN TO CU Official
0.30

5.
SV Members seated at table (2 shots)
0.42

6.
SCU ZOOM OUT Riad & Ministers seated
0.53



Initials SGM/0218 SGM/0228



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: At the opening session of an Arab League Council meeting in Cairo on 23 June, the Secretary General, Mahmoud Riad, announced that plans are underway for an Arab Summit conference in Algeria next September. The conference is to follow the fourth summit of non-aligned countries there.

The Arab League meeting on Saturday(23 June) was convened to discuss plans for developing the League machinery and introducing changes to the League's charter. The council adjourned until July 15th to study the new proposals including an amendment to cancel a country's right to vote if it failed to meet its annual share in the League's budget.

The Arab League meeting, which began on June 20th, was expected to consider blacklisting more than 140 foreign firms suspected of dealing with Israel. Other firms already under a boycott were expected to be exempted after they submitted documents proving they had ceased. operations in Israel.

The League has eighteen member states.

SYNOPSIS: The Arab League Council meeting in Cairo has been adjourned until July 15th to consider procedural changes.

At a session to discuss the changes on Saturday, the Secretary-General, Mahmoud Riad announced an Arab summit was being planned in Algiers in September, to follow the summit of non-aligned countries there earlier in the month.

The adjournment of the Council is to discuss plans for developing League machinery and new changes in the League's charter. The proposals include an amendment to cancel a country's right to vote if it failed to meet its annual share in the League's budget.

The League meeting was also expected to discuss boycotts on foreign firms suspected of dealing with Israel.