The Arab League on Tuesday (December 02) assured India of extending its full support in fighting against terrorism. While giving his speech at the India-Arab cultural week festival, Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa condemned the November 26 terror strikes in Mumbai and assured to offer full support to India to combat terrorism. He, later also told a news agency that every country needs to be determined in tackling the menace and everybody must join hands to root out terrorism and piracy.

The comments of Moussa undoubtedly assume significance as India has been accusing Pakistan for sheltering the terrorists, involved in the deadly attacks in Mumbai that killed 183 people and left over three hundred injured.

Earlier, India and Arab League signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for setting up of a joint forum for cooperation to enhance ties between the two nations. Talking about the new accord, Pranab Mukherjee said that India-Arab Cooperation Forum will boost the relationship of both the nations on various fields including culture, trade, energy and human resources.

The six-day long festival, which began on Tuesday (December 02) will showcase Arab handicraft besides organizing a film festival and performances of artists from the Arab world. Apart from Indian officials, the ambassadors from Arab countries were present at the inauguration ceremony of the fest.