24 May 2004	Monday	04 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

TUNIS, May 23: Arab governments, responding to a US campaign for democracy, promised on Sunday to carry out political and social reforms in an oil-rich region which includes some of the world's most repressive rulers.

In documents read out at the end of a two-day Arab summit, the 22 Arab League members promised to promote democracy, expand popular participation in politics and public affairs, reinforce women's rights and expand civil society.

Foreign ministers had already agreed to the reform agenda and the impact of approval at the summit was diluted by a decision that heads of state would not personally sign the key reform documents yet.

Few heads of state were still present at the end of the summit. Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi walked out on Saturday in protest at the agenda. Conference delegates said some governments preferred the approval process to go through national institutions, such as parliaments and cabinets, before heads of state sign on.

Human rights activists and analysts say they doubt the Arab leaders intend to act on their promises with much enthusiasm. "Their attitude is 'Reform yes, but not on my watch'," said a senior Western diplomat monitoring the summit.

The resolutions on Iraq and the Palestinians are unlikely to satisfy Arab public opinion, which had hoped for something more decisive, analysts said. The leaders expressed solidarity with Syria in the face of US economic sanctions and criticized any attempts to solve the Arab- Israeli conflict without reference to all UN resolutions. That was an indirect rebuke to US President George W. Bush. -Reuters