Syrians arrive at summit, despite Israel's presence
Head of Syrian Chamber of Trade leads delegation
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Workers plant flowers outside of a tent that will be used for the World Economic Forum in Shouna, Jordan.
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SPECIAL REPORT
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SHOUNA, Jordan (CNN) -- A Syrian delegation arrived Saturday for the World Economic Forum in Shouna, Jordan, even though an Israeli delegation also plans to attend, sources at the meeting and the Jordanian Royal Palace told CNN.
The move is considered by some observers to be a hopeful sign, because Syria -- long an enemy of Israel -- customarily boycotts meetings attended by Israelis.
The head of Syria's Chamber of Trade, Ratab Shalah, is leading the six-member delegation of businesspeople.
Israel is sending three government ministers, led by Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom. They are scheduled to arrive in Shouna Sunday morning.
Shalom was scheduled to meet with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher El Sayed, Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Jordan's king, Abdullah II.
He was not expected to meet with the Mideast Quartet -- the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations -- or sit in any of forums the Syrians attend.
The meeting, normally held in Davos, Switzerland, was moved this year to Shouna, a Dead Sea resort town, and is billed as the "global reconciliation summit." It will focus on Iraq, Middle East peace, and business and economics.
CNNarabic.com editor Caroline Faraj in Dubai contributed to this report.
