Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=03/23/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ/ARAB LEAGUE (L-O)

NUMBER=2-301162

BYLINE=TETIANA ANDERSON

DATELINE=CAIRO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Arab League is preparing for a Monday meeting to show unified Arab opposition to the U-S-led war on Iraq. Tetiana Anderson has more from Cairo.

TEXT: Iraq's Foreign Minister Naji Sabri says he wants Arab governments to condemn the war on Iraq and demand the withdrawal of U-S and British forces.

Mr. Sabri arrived in Cairo from Damascus, where he met with Syrian officials. He also warned Turkey against aiding U-S and British forces in the war against Iraq.

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa told reporters that league members are united on their position that the Iraqi war must stop and the suffering of the Iraqi people must end.

/// MOUSSA ACT ///

We cannot accept this war. This war as we see it on the T-V is a very very bad film, very bad, very severe. This is something that no Arab citizen, man or woman, old man or old woman or a child can accept or can sympathize with. This is very clear.

/// END ACT ///

He said the job of the 22-member body is to offer a political rather than a military solution to the conflict.

The permanent members of the League met before Monday's full ministerial meeting.

Arab League spokesman Hesham Youssef said the ministers will also discuss a diplomatic initiative through the United Nations to try and stop the Iraqi conflict. (SIGNED)

NEB/TA/DW/FC/rae