Official translation of the full text of a Saudi-inspired peace plan adopted by the Arab summit in Beirut, 2002.

The Arab Peace Initiative

The Council of Arab States at the Summit Level at its 14th Ordinary Session,

Reaffirming the resolution taken in June 1996 at the Cairo Extra-Ordinary Arab Summit that a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East is the strategic option of the Arab countries, to be achieved in accordance with international legality, and which would require a comparable commitment on the part of the Israeli government,

Having listened to the statement made by his royal highness Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, crown prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in which his highness presented his initiative calling for full Israeli withdrawal from all the Arab territories occupied since June 1967, in implementation of Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, reaffirmed by the Madrid Conference of 1991 and the land-for-peace principle, and Israel's acceptance of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in return for the establishment of normal relations in the context of a comprehensive peace with Israel,

Emanating from the conviction of the Arab countries that a military solution to the conflict will not achieve peace or provide security for the parties, the council:

1. Requests Israel to reconsider its policies and declare that a just peace is its strategic option as well.

2. Further calls upon Israel to affirm:

I- Full Israeli withdrawal from all the territories occupied since 1967, including the Syrian Golan Heights, to the June 4, 1967 lines as well as the remaining occupied Lebanese territories in the south of Lebanon.

Full Israeli withdrawal should be carried out over X months while an international presence is gradually introduced in the area, as required. An international force [under the leadership of X] will oversee the withdrawal and assist in the implementation of the security arrangements set forth in the Agreement. An international force will also be introduced for border security in Palestine (Jordan Valley and the crossings).

II- Achievement of a just solution to the Palestinian refugee problem to be agreed upon in accordance with U.N. General Assembly Resolution 194.

The Parties shall recognize the [rights] [right of return] [right to return to their homeland] of Palestinian refugees under UNGAR 194, UNSC Resolution 242[, and the Arab Peace Initiative (Article 2.ii.)]. The number and modalities of return shall be agreed between the Parties [with consideration to maintaining the demographic balance in Israel] [consistent with the two-state solution].

Refugees will have the right to choose between:

•  return to the state of Palestine
•  return to the state of Israel
•  return to areas in Israel being transferred to Palestine
•  remain in the host states, subject to the latter?s decision
•  resettle in third countries, subject to the latter?s decision

Israel will compensate the refugees for their refugeehood and for loss of property.

The Parties recognize the right of states that have hosted Palestinian refugees to compensation.

An International Commission shall oversee the implementation of the refugee provision of the permanent status agreement.

III- The acceptance of the establishment of a sovereign independent Palestinian state on the Palestinian territories occupied since June 4, 1967 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The borders between the state of Palestine and the state of Israel will be the June 4th 1967 Armistice Line, though the two sides may agree to minor, reciprocal, and equal boundary rectifications that do not affect, among other things, territorial contiguity. The Palestinian and Israeli sides shall have no territorial claims beyond the June 4, 1967 borders.  These borders will be the permanent boundaries between the two states.

There will be a permanent territorial corridor established between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip sections of the state of Palestine.

The maritime boundaries between the state of Israel and the state of Palestine will be agreed, in accordance with international law, and respecting the full sovereign rights of each state.

East Jerusalem will become the capital of the state of Palestine and West Jerusalem will become the capital of the State of Israel.

Jerusalem, which is venerated by the three monotheistic religions, will remain open to all peoples.

The Palestinian side will transfer sovereignty over the Jewish Quarter and the Wailing Wall section of the Western Wall in East Jerusalem to Israel, while retaining sovereignty over the remainder of the Old City.

Joint water resource will be allocated based on international law.

Palestine will be a sovereign independent state with limited, defensive armament and a strong internal security force with ground, air and maritime elements.

Neither Palestine nor Israel will enter into military alliances against each other, or allow their territory to be used for military operations against each other.

Israel may maintain [one] early warning station on Palestinian territory on a lease basis for a [limited duration / X years], but not exceeding [X years], with a Palestinian [international] liaison presence.

Palestine will exercise full sovereignty over its airspace. With respect to civil aviation, Palestine and Israel recognize the application of multilateral aviation agreements to which they are party, particularly the Convention on International Civil Aviation, 1944 (the Chicago Convention), and the International Air Services Transit Agreement, 1944.

Palestine and Israel will establish [technical / joint] coordination mechanisms as necessary over air traffic control and military use of airspace on the basis of equality and reciprocity.

3. Consequently, the Arab countries affirm the following:

I- Consider the Arab-Israeli conflict ended, and enter into a peace agreement with Israel, and provide security for all the states of the region.

The implementation of the permanent status agreement  will signal the end of the Palestinian refugee status and with it the end of claims.

Following the end of conflict, the Arab states and Israel will based their security relations on cooperation, mutual trust and good-neighborly relations, and the protection of their common interests. All parties will work to promote a regional security regime, including cooperation in fighting terrorism.

II- Establish normal relations with Israel in the context of this comprehensive peace.

4. Assures the rejection of all forms of Palestinian patriation which conflict with the special circumstances of the Arab host countries.

5. Calls upon the government of Israel and all Israelis to accept this initiative in order to safeguard the prospects for peace and stop the further shedding of blood, enabling the Arab countries and Israel to live in peace and good neighbourliness and provide future generations with security, stability and prosperity.

6. Invites the international community and all countries and organisations to support this initiative.

7. Requests the chairman of the summit to form a special committee composed of some of its concerned member states and the secretary general of the League of Arab States to pursue the necessary contacts to gain support for this initiative at all levels, particularly from the United Nations, the Security Council, the United States of America, the Russian Federation, the Muslim states and the European Union.