from sanctions imposed on it. Leaders stressed the need for the Sudanese government and the African Union to continue their efforts to establish security and stability in Darfur. The conference also called upon armed groups that failed to sign the Darfur peace agreement to renounce military escalation. The summit welcomed the African Union’s decision to send African troops to bolster stability in Somalia. It also called on member states to extend various forms of support to the Somali government. Leaders decided to convene an extra ordinary ministerial level meeting of the Arab League Council, preceded by a meeting of commitment of senior Arab officials to evaluate Arab efforts to rid the Middle East region of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. The meetings asked the Secretary General to pursue efforts and contacts with the European Union presidency and the European commission to develop collective Arab-European relations. Leaders expressed keenness in enhancing relations with China. The council approved the general structure of the Executive program of the Arab customs union. Moreover, it also approved the continuous Arab agricultural development strategy. Arab leaders urged Arab states to study the enactment of laws and regulations to encourage inter-Arab tourism. Aftermath Through the Riyadh Summit, Arab leaders “re-launched their blueprint for peace in the Middle East.” As the Riyadh Declaration shows, leaders of the Arab world hoped to “reexamine their state of affairs.” Islam, moreover, was used as a uniting factor to achieve peace: “We are inspired by our religious and Arab values that renounce all forms of immoderation, extremism and racism; and stressing the aims of boosting the Arab identity, deepening its cultural bases, and continuing its open humanistic message, while facing the challenges and risks threatening to re-schematize the state of affairs in the region, dissolve the common Arab identity, and undermine the connections that bind us.” Throughout its history, Professor of Middle East Studies, Roger Owen explains, “the Arab League has acted as though the Arab states should conduct their relations in terms more of notions of brotherhood than of protocol.” Moreover, the leaders at Riyadh explain, “We are all, leaders, officials and citizens; parents and children; partners in drawing our own destiny and preserving our identity, culture, values and interests. Dangerous challenges can only increase the resolve and faith of great nations. The Arab nation is capable, with God’s help, to achieve the security, dignity, and prosperity it deserves