An Arab League note, which Arab diplomats said was prompted by the imminence of renewed hostilities with Israel, was today handed to Acting Secretary of State James E. Webb by envoys of seven Moslem countries.
Egyptian Ambassador Mohamed Kamil Abdul Rahim said the note was delivered because “we see actually that prospects of peace are dim.” He acted as spokesman for the Ambassadors and Ministers of Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Transjordan and Lebanon, as well as for his own country. The Arabs called on Mr. Webb in a body to present the collective note.
Mr. Rahim said Israel, instead of implementing U.N. decisions, “has confronted the whole world with a fait accompli.” He charged that a few months ago Israel “transferred its government administration” to Jerusalem “which was considered by the United Nations resolution of 1948 an international area.” He accused Israel of deciding to “incorporate Jaffa, an Arab city, into Tel Aviv.”
He declined to divulge the contents of the formal note delivered by his delegation to the Acting Secretary of State. Asked by newsmen if he expected a resumption of open warfare in the very near future, Mr. Rahim replied; “One cannot tell, but prospects are not pleasing.” The note was prepared in accordance with a decision of the meeting of the Arab League in Cairo last month, Mr. Rahim said. It was also emphasized that the envoys were all acting on specific instructions of their governments.
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