Arab leaders, incensed at Israel's handling of…

Arab leaders, incensed at Israel's handling of the riots and concerned about the angry demonstrations in their own countries, gather in Cairo over the weekend of October 21­ and 22 for their first summit in four years.

They issue a communiqué strongly criticizing Israel, accusing that country of having committed atrocities against Palestinians over the previous three weeks.

The league urges the UN to establish a war crimes tribunal to judge Israeli actions, asks the Security Council and General Assembly to provide protection for the Palestinians under Israeli occupation, calls for Israel to accede to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, and pledges funds to assist the Palestinian economy.

The members call on Arab nations to downgrade their relations with the Jewish state.

Morocco, Tunisia, and Oman close down low-level missions, and Egypt recalls its ambassador.

Though formal diplomatic contacts will continue, trade and political exchanges will be curtailed.

The Arab states, however, stop short of economic sanctions or military intervention against Israel.