Egypt's role in peace process, vital
Egypt, Politics, 2/21/2000

Minister of Information Safwat el-Sherif said that Egypt is playing an important role to bring closer viewpoints of the parties to the Middle East peace process in view of the pioneering role it plays in the Middle East and its contacts with the United States, Israel and the Arab world.

Sherif, who is currently visiting Paris, said in an interview with the BBC Sunday, that, as was pointed out by President Hosni Mubarak, Israel should not waste opportunities available now to realize a just peace.

Asked on a possible participation by Egypt in a peacekeeping force in the south of Lebanon in case Israel withdrew from it, Sherif said, "We should not go ahead of events."

"Let us say now that Israel should withdraw and that negotiations should be completed on the Lebanese and Syrian tracks," he added.

"Egypt will not hesitate to play a role to realize peace and stability in this area," the Minister stressed.

Asked on whether a victory by reformists in Iran would facilitate or complicate matters for Egyptian diplomacy in the peace process and would Iran compete with Egypt, Sherif said, "This is an Iranian decision. Iran has its decisions but it does not live in this 'hot area'. It is not one of the ring countries nor does it have a role in this issue".

"But I believe that Iran understands very much international and regional changes and globalization as well," he added.

Sherif said that both Egypt and Syria adopt one principle, namely that (occupied) land should be restored.

"There would be no ceding of land and peace on one track should not be at the expense of another track," he stressed.

"Lebanon holds to its soil in full. Nobody objects at all that (occupied) land should be restored to its owners without conditions," Sherif expounded.

Asked about an anticipated Arab summit, the Minister said "President Mubarak has said on more than one occasion that Egypt calls to, agrees and supports holding any summit, a full-fledged summit and if not possible because of some obstacles, Egypt will call for a mini summit three-way, five-way or six-way".

"Egypt has no objection, Egypt has bypassed all obstacles and does not shoulder responsibility for holding up an Arab summit," he concluded.

Previous Stories:
  Military balance, ME peace safety valve   (2/19/2000)
  Mubarak, Arafat discuss ME peace, Israeli aggression on Lebanon   (2/19/2000)
  Egypt resents Israeli aggression against Lebanon   (2/17/2000)

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