Doha  - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, speaking at an Arab League summit in Qatar on Monday, said that divisions among Arab states "harm Iraq," and called on Arab countries to play a greater role in rebuilding Iraq.

"We call for the adoption of a common Arab strategy based on a partnership of all the Arab family," al-Maliki said. "We are against the policy of alliances which runs against a unified Arab position ... and harms Iraq."

Washington - The United States on Monday welcomed an Afghan Supreme Court ruling extending President Hamid Karzai's term until an election in August.

The court ruled Sunday that Karzai should stay in power after his term ends May 22, until the elections are held.

"The United States strongly supports and welcomes this ruling," said State Department spokesman Gordon Duguid. "We believe that the continuity of government in this critical period before elections is vital and contributes to creating stability."

Doha - Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi, in his closing remarks to the Arab League summit in Qatar on Monday, said Arab countries could not recognize Israel until it gave up its nuclear weapons and agreed to allow Palestinian refugees to return to their homes.

"We cannot recognize Israel while they have nuclear weapons and we have modest weapons," Gaddafi said. "And we should insist on the return of the displaced. We cannot recognize Israel until they agree to these two demands."

Doha - Arab League Secretary-General Amr Mussa on Monday formally expressed the body's support for Sudanese President Omar al- Bashir in his confrontation with the International Criminal Court and the UN Security Council.

In his final remarks Monday night, al-Bashir thanked the assembled Arab leaders for their support against "the court's unjust decision."

"We will spare no effort in establishing peace and security in every corner of Sudan," al-Bashir added.

Doha  - Egyptian Minister of State for Legal Affairs Mufid Shehab, representing his country at an Arab League summit in Qatar in lieu of President Hosny Mubarak, on Monday called on Arab media to "abide by the truth."

"Egypt can let go of any minor disputes," Shehab said. "But that does not give others the right to engage in underhanded attacks."

London  - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged world leaders Monday to "rise to the challenge" of beating the global recession but admitted that "tough negotiations" would be necessary to reach agreement at this week's Group of 20 (G20) summit.

"We no doubt have some long days of negotiation ahead. These are difficult and complex problems. It will not be easy to reach the conclusions that I believe are necessary for the world economy," said Brown.