The Arab League Monday evening reluctantly backed the American government's proposal for a Middle East conference in the fall, saying that the meeting must include the Syrian demand that Israel surrender the strategic Golan Heights.

However, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallam boycotted the Arab League meeting on the issue, and the Syrian representative stormed out of the session. Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said that Syria's participation in the proposed conference is essential.

"If you want an international conference, these are our conditions," he said. "What is required is to solve the Arab-Israeli conflict, and Syria is part of this and has its land occupied."