Arab leaders meeting in Egypt say they "completely" reject any military attack on Iraq and their countries will not participate in a potential war.
Leaders from the 22-member Arab League met today (Saturday) in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, for a day-long summit.
Their final statement called for the rejection of a strike against Iraq or any act threatening the security and safety of any Arab country, characterizing it as a threat to all Arab nations.
The United Arab Emirates sought to introduce a proposal calling for President Saddam Hussein and the entire leadership in Baghdad to step down in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Previously, the Iraqi leader has stated publicly that he would rather die in Iraq than go into exile.
The UAE's proposal was the first public call from an Arab nation call for President Saddam's resignation, but it is not clear if the delegates debated the plan.
A shouting match between Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Abdullah and Libyan leader Moammar Ghadafi nearly brought the summit to an abrupt halt.
Colonel Ghadafi criticized the Saudis for allowing U-S forces on Saudi territory. The two leaders had a heated exchange and the Saudi Crown Prince had to be persuaded by other Arab leaders not to leave the gathering.
Arab countries have urged Baghdad repeatedly to cooperate with United Nations resolutions on disarmament, but also have called for a peaceful solution to the crisis.