CAIRO [MENL] -- The Arab League is exploring the prospect of issuing a
passport that would allow the bearer to travel to any member state.The proposal was discussed during a meeting of security officials last
month in Tunis. The officials plan to issue a recommendation to Arab League
interior ministers when they meet later this year.Under the recommendation, league members would issue an Arab passport
that would be similar to that of the European Union. The proposal is meant
to facilitate tourism as well as enable countries to cooperate on such
issues as illegal immigration, organized crime and counter-terrorism.Mohammed Bin Ali Kumwan, secretary-general of the Interior Ministers
forum at the Arab League, said an agreement on a regional passport would
mark a significant development in security cooperation. Kumwan said the
passport would be part of a security package meant to increase stability and
cooperation on such issues as immigration and joint investigations.
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