Astana, July 01: Israel on Wednesday utilised the platform of a global faith conference to reach out to the Arab world to bring about lasting peace in the Middle East.
"I call on his excellency, the king of Saudi Arabia, to meet wherever you wish, in Jerusalam, in Riyadh, in this beautiful country of Kazakhstan; we will be able to realise your vision (of peace in the Middle East)," Israeli President Shimon Peres said.
He was addressing the third Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions that Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev inaugurated here today.
"We must stretch our hands one to another in a spirit of mutual commitment, with a prayer for peace and prosperity.
"Swords will be beaten into ploughshares and wars will forever be of the past. So let it be," Peres added to deafening applause.
This is perhaps the clearest indication yet of Israel's desire to make peace more than six decades after its creation that has led to immense turmoil in the Middle East and sparked a series of violent conflicts.
Perez also noted the "transition" in the Arab world vis-à-vis is Israel thanks to the efforts of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt.
"They defined the parameters and today, thanks to them, 57 Arab and Muslim countries are prepared to talk to us," the President said.
IANS
First Published: Wednesday, July 01, 2009, 12:03