Qatar emir calls for $1 billion Jerusalem fund at Arab summit

Qatari emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani called for a $1 billion fund for Palestinians in Jerusalem during the opening session of the Arab Summit today, which was dominated by events in Syria.

The Qatari emir made the proposal during his opening speech and offered to contribute $250 million to the fund, without providing further details.

He also suggested an Arab summit in Cairo to implement Palestinian reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas.

he welcomed the reconciliation proposal by the emir, while Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh issued a statement also welcoming the initiative.

Taking Syria's seat at an Arab summit for the first time, opposition leader Moaz Alkhatib said he had asked US Secretary of State John Kerry for US forces to help defend rebel-controlled northern parts of Syria with Patriot surface-to-air missiles.