Iraqi President Saddam Hussein announced Iraq will attend the Arab summit on October 21 and 22 in Cairo even if he is unable to take part, in a message published in Tuesday's press.
"If it is not possible for me to take part personally because of the circumstances ... I will delegate someone to represent me," Saddam wrote in answer to an invitation from Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak.
For security reasons, Saddam has not left Iraq since the Gulf crisis of 1990 after his troops invaded Kuwait.
He was not invited to the last Arab summit in Cairo in 1996, the only one held since the Gulf War of 1991.
Saddam slammed what he called the delay in convening the summit on the violence in the Palestinian territories.
"The Arab kings and presidents responsible for the delay in holding a summit will be questioned by the Palestinian people and nation over the delay in their efforts," he wrote.
The Iraqi strongman accused "certain Arab leaders" of holding up official moves on the Arab front. "Isn't it necessary to hold a summit immediately?" in response to Israel's killings in the Palestinian territories, he asked – BAGHDAD (AFP)
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