Kuwait, March 25 (IANS): Expressing concern over the increasing disputes between Arab countries, Kuwait Tuesday said the lingering Syrian crisis was threatening international security.

Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Kuwait head of state, told the 25th Arab summit inaugural in Kuwait City that disputes in the Arab world were increased and undermining "our existence, values, hopes and aspirations, and we have become preoccupied with them at the expense of our ability to confront the challenges", KUNA reported.

It is the first time that Kuwait is hosting the pan-Arab summit since joining the Arab League in 1961.

He called for "an honest stance to achieve unity" among the Arab countries.

"We should address these differences and unite and work together to overcome the disputes," he said.

He said the Arab League members cannot proceed with any unified action as long as there were differences in the backdrop.

The Arab summit tackles key political and economic issues in the Arab arena and deliberates on future of Arab cooperation under the umbrella of the Arab League, that comprises of 22 Arab League countries, excluding Syria that has been suspended for the on-going humanitarian crisis.

The 22 Arab League members include three of the largest African countries namely Sudan, Algeria and Libya, and the largest country in the Middle East - Saudi Arabia.

The theme of 2014 summit has been set as "Unity for a better Future", tasked with confronting many regional issues.

Thirteen heads of Arab states are attending the two-day summit, including Egyptian President Adly Mansour and Qatar's Amir Sheikh al-Thani. Other states have sent high-ranking delegations to the summit.