Mubarak contacts Arab leaders to reach unified stance
Egypt-Regional, Politics, 9/20/2001

"President Hosni Mubarak is to continue his contacts with Arab leaders so as to crystallise a unified Arab stance towards the current situation in the Middle East and means of dealing with the developments that followed last week's attacks on the US," Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher told diplomatic editors at the foreign ministry.

"The contacts which President Mubarak has made, related to the current situation which needs coordination between Arab countries, particularly following the recent terror attacks on the U.S. and Israel's decision Tuesday to pull out troops from Palestinian-controlled areas," Maher said.

He said that the Israeli move could open the door for further progress in the Middle East peace process.

"What is new in the developments of Tuesday is that the US intervened between the Palestinians and Israelis and convinced them of the necessity of returning to the peace track," Maher said.

The Palestinians are convinced of the exigency of resuming the peace process, the Minister said, noting that it was the fifth or sixth time Palestinian Leader Arafat declared ceasefire.

Maher said that he believes the American intervention this time could ensure an Israeli fulfillment of its commitments to stop violence, end its occupation of area (A) and the siege imposed on the Palestinians.

On Israel's violation of the latest ceasefire, Maher said "we expect such things to happen, but we also expect Israel to respect its commitments, because the US is undertaking a strong key role this time.

"The Palestinians expect such infringements, but, still, they are determined to adhere to self-restraint," Maher said.

Maher stressed that Egypt continued to call for fighting terrorism, recalling the country's initiative for uniting international efforts to face this danger.

Maher renewed Egypt's call for holding a world conference against terrorism that encompasses all nations, noting that any alliance comprising certain states and excluding others would be an unjustifiable division of the world.

"Does inviting certain countries to join such a coalition and excluding others mean that the latter are terrorist states? Does this mean that those excluded shoulder no responsibility in facing terrorism?" Maher wondered.

Previous Stories:
  Egypt refuses double standards in nuclear issues in ME   (9/19/2001)
  Mubarak advice US against selective anti-terror alliance   (9/18/2001)
  Islam against all forms of terrorism   (9/18/2001)

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