On the evening of September 11, 2003, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing talked by phone with Amr Mahmoud Moussa, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States. The two sides exchanged views on the current situation in Iraq and the conflicts between Israel and Palestine. Li expressed his concern over the situations in the Middle East and the Gulf region, saying the United Nations should play its role in maintaining peace and stability in this region. He also said that the political will and choice of the Iraqi people should be respected. Moussa briefed Li on the Arab foreign ministers' meeting. The two sides agreed to work together to further develop the friendly cooperative relations between China and Arab nations.