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GV Delegates at "Arab People's Congress" news conference and banners (4 shots)
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SV & GV President of the Congress, Omar Al-Hamdi from Libyan Jamahiriyah speaking (3 shots)
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SV Dr. Saber Falhout, president of the Syrian Press Association and Congress Information Officer speaking
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SV Egyptian lawyer Ahmed Abdulaal speaking
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SV & GV Delegates and members of audience listening to speeches (2 shots)
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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A leftist Arab organisation plans to put Egyptian President Anwar Sadat on trial next month for alleged treason against the Arab cause. The Arab's People's Congress is composed of groups that object to president Sadat's peace overtures towards Israel. The indictment was published at a news conference in Damascus.

SYNOPSIS: The Arab people's Congress was established in the Libyan capital of Tripoli last December. The main acts of alleged treason by President Sadat involve his visit to Jerusalem last November, and the talks on peace with Israel that followed. The principal accusation is that the Egyptian President is plotting to liquidate the Palestinian cause. The Libyan President of the Arab People's Congress, Omar Al-Hamdi, told the meeting that the trial has the support of 200 political groups, popular organisations and trade unions from more than 17 Arab countries.

The President of the Syrian Press Association Dr. Saber Falhout holds office in the People's Congress. The organisation plans to try President Sadat on the 1st August, in an Arab People's Court of ten members, including judges, university professors and lawyers. The Congress claims that the witnesses will include the head of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, Yasser Arafat, and General Saadeddin Al-Shazli, Egypt's ambassador to Portugal dismissed by Mr. Sadat because of his criticism of the government. A long list of accusations was read out to the meeting.

The Congress will suggest that any Arab should be entitled to take Mr. Sadat's life, and that his decisions made since visiting Jerusalem should be annulled.