THE Arab world was more divided than ever over the looming conflict in Iraq after a weekend summit intended to forge unity ended in angry exchanges that split the 22- nation Arab League into three camps.

Despite attempts by the Egyptian hosts to paper over the deepening divisions within the Arab ranks, with a diluted joint statement opposing a US-led war, the Arab leadership failed to produce a practical diplomatic solution to avert conflict.

The only concrete initiative, launched by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, the ruler of the United Arab Emirates, called on Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi leadership to relinquish power and go into exile within a fortnight.

However, the proposal, which envisages an amnesty for Iraqis and a joint UN-Arab League interim administration to run Iraq, was dismissed by most of the other states. Although the exile option has been discussed in private for some weeks, many leaders fear that a dangerous precedent would be set if they encouraged the removal of one of their own members.

Nevertheless, the Kuwaiti Cabinet said yesterday that it supported the plan, and the Emir of Bahrain said that Saddam should step down to spare Iraqis and the region another war.

Babel, the Iraqi daily newspaper run by Saddam’s son, Uday, said that the leader of the UAE had a devil’s heart.

“The one who calls for ousting the Iraqi President and placing Iraq under the mandate of the United Nations and the Arab League is an American agent with an Arab face,” the newspaper said.

Naji Sabri, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, rounded on Sheikh Zayed’s son, Abdullah, the UAE Information Minister, who circulated the plan at the summit, saying: “This Zionist agent child has brought disgrace to himself and his father and his country with this silly statement.”

The issue never had a chance to be properly debated because the entire summit came to a close in mid-session, due to a public argument between the Libyan leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, and Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.

Colonel Gaddafi criticised Saudi Arabia for making “an alliance with the devil” when King Fahd invited US troops to protect it from Iraq in 1990.

Crown Prince Abdullah interrupted the speech and, jabbing his finger at the Libyan leader, branded him a liar and ordered him not to interfere in other people’s affairs. He then stormed out of the hall and the discussions were cut short.

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