Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat- Arab League [AL] Secretary General Amr Musa has denied that there are plans of holding an extraordinary Arab summit in Cairo before the Damascus one and reiterated that the summit scheduled to be held in the Syrian capital at the end of this month would be held at the previously decided venue and date.

Musa also denied that there were any plans of inviting the majority and opposition parties in Lebanon to hold a meeting at the AL premises in Cairo. In the same context, Syrian sources in Cairo denied that Musa had conveyed (impossible ideas) from the Syrian leadership for solving the crisis in Lebanon based on the idea of forming a transitional government and holding early elections. They told Asharq Al-Awsat that these reports “are totally baseless.”

In an exclusive statement to Asharq Al-Awsat, Musa said, “I will not comment on what is published here and there” and pointed out that reports about holding mini or extraordinary summits before the Damascus one is just “media speculations” and added firmly, “The Arab ministerial council which starts its session tomorrow in Cairo will deal with the issues in the Arab arena. There will be decisions that serve the general Arab interest and these will come after deep and exhaustive discussions of all the issues that are raised.”

“There are no statements prepared beforehand. We will announce everything after the meetings.” he added.

In other news, Syria, which is facing Arab divisions over its role in neighbouring Lebanon, will invite Beirut and Riyadh to attend an Arab summit in Damascus due later this month, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said.

Syria, which has strained ties with the Western-backed government of Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, had said it would wait until Lebanon elects a new president before inviting Beirut and Riyadh to the March 29-30 summit. Saudi Arabia also backs Siniora, who is an opponent of Syria.

Syria has invited all other Arab League members, according to Lebanese politicians.