Views identical over issues of Egyptian-Omani talks
Egypt-Oman, Politics, 1/7/2002

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said his talks with Omani State Minister for foreign affairs Youssef Bin Alawi were fruitful and touched on all the issues of concern to the Arab world.

"Views are identical over the issues discussed in the session of Egyptian-Omani talks," Maher said.

Bin Alawi said the meeting was useful and interesting, referring to the friendly and strong ties binding Egypt and Oman.

Asked on reports that Libya requested to move the next Arab summer from Bruit to Cairo and whether this poses a threat, Maher said he does not believe so, referring to determination to hold the Arab summit.

Any discussions in this respect must fall within the framework of commitment to holding the summit as scheduled, he elaborated, noting the arab leaders have issued a decision to hold the summit as scheduled in Beirut "and we are committed to this'.

On his country's view of the deteriorating situation in the Occupied Lands, Bin Alawi said that the Palestinians are serious about the commitment to the cease-fire, a matter that gave them credibility.

The efforts of US Middle East peace envoy Anthony Zinni are serious and will undoutedly have a strong effect as far as throwing the ball in Israelis court is concerned, added Bin Alawi.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Maher Sunday voiced hope that the mission of US mideast peace envoy Anthony Zinni would be successful, pointing out that Zinni was exerting efforts to calm down the situation in the Palestinian territories and has presented Washington's requests to the Israeli and Palestinian sides.

Replying to questions by diplomatic editors following a meeting with Omani Minister of State in Charge of Foreign Affairs Youssef Bin Alawi, Maher voiced hope that Washington's efforts would succeed in persuading Israel to halt its practices and policies.

He said Alawi informed him of the outcome of the Muscat summit of the Gulf cooperation council states, pointing out that talks covered the situation in the Middle East and the Palestinian lands and efforts exerted to resume peace negotiations in addition to Arab Affairs in general.

Asked whether action within the framework of regional Arab groupings weakened the Arab league, Maher replied in the negative, asserting that all Arab States aimed at promoting the Arab stance in the interest of Arab action in general.

Asked To comment on renewing sanctions on Libya by the US administration; Maher said after Libya had supported the anti terrorism campaign and after ending the Lockerbie issue, it was expected not to renew the sanctions.

Replying to a query on voices of peace-lovers in Israel that have been scared to rise, Maher voiced belief that the Israeli practices have not led to security but have increased violence.

Peace-lovers in Israel have realized the danger of the continuation of such situation.

He referred to requests by Israeli officials to visit Egypt that he welcomed.

He pointed out that he was always ready to listen to sound voices coming from Israel and respected figures that had an impact on the Israeli community.

As for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's call to activate the joint Arab defence agreement if any Arab state came under attack within the framework of the anti-terrorism campaign, Maher said, Arab solidarity is necessary if any Arab nation was endangered.

Egypt rejects any attack on any Arab nation and endeavours to avoid it, he emphasized.

Previous Stories:
  Oman backs Mubarak's call for anti-terror conference   (10/31/2001)
  Mubarak, Qaboos had talks in Sharm el-Sheikh   (9/19/2001)
  Mubarak, Qaboos hold talks   (9/15/2001)

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