AL Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit said that the Palestinian cause is a matter of consensus among all Arab states and ending Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is a central goal of all Arab countries "without exception."

A true, lasting, just and comprehensive peace with all its elements remains a strategic option for Arab countries, said Aboul-Gheit. 

His remarks came several days after the United Arab Emirates reached a US-brokered agreement with Israel on normalizing ties between the 2 countries.

Although welcomed by some Arab states, the deal was rejected by the Palestinians.