Arab states to push Mideast plan

Arab foreign ministers met in Cairo today to promote a plan to revive the deadlocked Middle East peace process amid wide Arab fears the recent war in Lebanon helped boost the influence of Iran and the militants it supports.

Arab League secretary general Amr Moussa said the 22-nation body would discuss a plan to request a ministerial meeting by the UN security council to advance efforts to settle the Arab-Israeli conflict, through direct talks among Israel, Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinians.