The most significant aspect to today's agreement is that Arab leaders have settled on a single position, virtually for the first time in recent years.

In previous decades of the conflict, rejectionist countries have almost always pulled up the entire process, most recently Syria. However, in his speech to the conference even Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian President, was far milder in his position than at any time in recent years.

Significantly, today's position is not that far away from the conventional position of the West, which is a two-state solution based on land-for-peace. It is something almost all states now agree on.

Undoubtedly, the main reason for this renewed Arab consensus is the growing influence of Iran, and that has united not only the Arab states but Israel as well. Iran was represented at the meeting by Manouchehr Mottaki, its Foreign Minister, after being invited as an observer.

Expert View

Iran's growing influence, along with the inability of the US to come up with any new initiatives, pushed King Abdullah to act

Richard Beeston

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Iran's influence across the Middle East is widespread. From Iranian support for Shia fighters in Iraq and Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon to the regime's decision to arrest the 15 British marines and sailors over the last few days, the Islamic Republic's attitude has alarmed Arab and Israeli rulers alike.

It is this attitude, along with the inability of the US to come up with any new initiatives of its own, that pushed King Abdullah to act.

He recognises that there is a vacuum in the Middle East, and if the moderates do not fill it then Iran will.

For Israel, the agreement here today creates a problem. The idea that Jerusalem should be the capital of a Palestinian state is unacceptable, and the issue of Palestinian refugees' right of return is also extremely contentious.

However, the idea that Israel might in future be able to sit down with the Saudi Arabians and win diplomatic normalisation with the entire Arab world is the big prize dangling before them.

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