DUBAI, Jan 15: Saudi Arabia, apparently stung by criticism of the Arab world’s curbs on political freedom, is urging Arab rulers to empower their people.

A proposal Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah plans to put to an Arab summit in March also reaffirms his peace offer to Israel and rejects “external, non-legitimate aggression” against any Arab state — a possible reference to a unilateral US invasion of Iraq.

The Saudi Arab News daily on Wednesday published what it said was the official English translation of the draft of a new Arab charter which Riyadh hopes the summit will adopt.

“The Arab heads of state decide that internal reform and enhanced political participation in the Arab states are essential steps for the building of Arab capabilities and for providing the conditions for a comprehensive awakening and development of Arab human resources,” the draft said.

It did not advocate specific reforms for the Arab world or say how Saudi Arabia plans to open up its own system.

Gulf analysts said the proposal was startling, coming from Saudi Arabia, but appeared aimed at mending strained ties with the United States and appeasing citizens, including radicals.

Gulf analyst Moghazy al-Badrawy said the initiative could be intended to limit the influence of extremist groups in the Arab world, a growing source of discomfort for regional governments since the Sept 11 attacks in U.S. cities.

“The proposal is about allowing more freedom of expression to non-extremist sections of society, but we will not see a real sense of democracy,” Badrawy told Reuters.

Western and Arab critics have argued that lack of democracy and freedom of speech in the Arab world has driven militants such as Osama bin Laden towards violence.

The analysts said the Saudi plan also aimed at regaining credibility among Arabs angry at the alliance of many governments with the United States, widely perceived as pursuing unjust policies towards Iraq and the Palestinians.

Crown Prince Abdullah said last week he did not believe there would be a war against Iraq, insisting that Arabs should be given a chance to find a diplomatic solution even if the United Nations authorizes military action.

Without directly naming Iraq, the Saudi initiative said Arab states would express “adamant refusal of any external and non-legitimate aggression against any Arab state” and would be committed to peaceful resolution of all intra-Arab conflicts.

The Saudi draft also urges the Arab summit to renew commitment to a proposal endorsed by Arab leaders last year offering Israel normal ties with the whole Arab world in return for full withdrawal from Arab territories occupied in 1967.—Reuters