Beirut, March 19, SPA -- Lebanese President Emile Lahoudwill not take part in Monday's Arab summit to be held inAlgeria because of current circumstances in Lebanon thatrequire him to stay in the country, a statement issued byhis office said Saturday. "In view of the current situation and developments on theLebanese internal arena, President Emile Lahoud has decidedto cancel his participation in the Arab summit which beginsMonday in Algiers Monday," the statement said. It said Lahoud expressed his regret to Algerian PresidentAbdelaziz Bouteflika for not being able to take part in thesummit because of circumstances in Lebanon which requirehis presence in the country. Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud will represent Lebanon atthe summit, which is expected to deal with the currentcrisis in Lebanon.--SPA1426 Local Time 1126 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/247907