Cairo, Feb. 21 (Petra) - Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit condemned as highly extremist statements made by the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, who indicated that Israel has the right to control the Middle East, citing religious texts from the Old Testament.

Aboul Gheit stressed that such statements contradict established diplomatic norms and conventions and defy logic and reason. He said they run counter to longstanding U.S. policies and positions, which are aimed at courting right-wing audiences in Israel.

Aboul Gheit’s official spokesperson, Gamal Roshdy, said that such extremist remarks, which lack any basis, inflame sentiments and stir religious and national emotions at a time when countries are convening under the umbrella of the Peace Council to discuss ways to implement the Gaza peace agreement and seize the opportunity to launch a serious peace process.

//Petra// AF