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CNN.com - Saudi prince offers Israel land-for-peace deal - March 27, 2002



BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) -- Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah called Wednesday for the Arab world to establish "normal relations" and security for Israel in exchange for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories, allowing the "return of refugees" and the recognition of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

A short time after Abdullah's speech, however, the summit was thrown into confusion when Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was not allowed to address the summit live via satellite.



Saeb Erakat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, said Arafat had been scheduled to speak after Abdullah to offer his support for the Saudi initiative.



But Arafat's broadcast was blocked and the host of the summit, Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, adjourned the session.
Arafat was supposed to speak immediately after Abdullah. However, other representatives spoke instead, and then the session was adjourned with Arafat's speech (delivered via satellite TV).

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