Arab countries must learn a lesson from Tunisia, whose upheaval is overshadowing an economic summit to open in Egypt this week.
That's according to Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, who said on Monday that economic and political reform in the Arab world must go hand in hand. In his address to the delegates preparing for the summit, Moussa urged the richer Arab countries to help the less developed countries in the region.
The summit begins on Wednesday in Egypt's Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh. It is intended to be a forum for trade talks, business activities and investment. However, officials now say Tunisia's upheaval will be the main talking point at the conference.
Political oppression, rising unemployment and soaring food prices were factors that triggered the political crisis in Tunisia.
Tunisian Foreign Minister Kamal Merjam reportedly told the foreign ministers of Arab countries in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday that the new government took full control of the country.
Arab countries have hardly responded to events in Tunisia that have rattled the region of authoritarian leaders such as Tunisia's ousted President, Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali. Egypt rejects talk of widespread unrest in Tunisia, while Libya says Tunisian protesters overthrew their president too quickly. (VOA News)
