Will economy succeed where has politics failed? This is the question that challenges the first Arab Economic and Social Development Summit slated for January 2009 in Kuwait.The summit, to be attended by economy and finance ministers, is expected to discuss health, trade, tourism, transport and investment issues related to the daily lives of 330 million Arabs.

The Ministry of Health has so far spent LE1 billion (about $188 million) on upgrading the emergency services, which have been declining for many years. This huge amount of money has been used to purchase 1,200 well-equipped ambulances, the sirens of 220 of which have already started wailing. There's also a new wireless network to ensure they respond swiftly in an emergency.

Do you expect an Israeli and US attack on Iran before the American presidential elections in November?

Yes

No

I don't know

       Previous poll results

Do you think bio-fuels are to blame for the soaring food prices?

Yes               85          per cent

No                10          per cent

I don't know   5        per cent