Egypt will not accept US attack on an Arab state
Egypt-Regional, Politics, 1/8/2002

Egypt will not accept a US attack on any Arab state under the pretext of fighting terrorism, Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher said.

Such an attack, if it happens, will be a big mistake on the part of the United States, he said.

In a live interview with the Nile TV International late Monday, Maher asserted that no Arab state had anything to do with the September 11 attacks on the US.

He described as unacceptable the US targeting of any Arab state as part of the current US-led campaign against terror.

The September 11 will remain a landmark in international affairs that changed the world shape, said Maher.

On the intense situation in the Palestinian territories, the top diplomat said he saw weird contradiction between the Arab and the Palestinians' recognition of Israel and the lack of an Israeli recognition of the Palestinians' right to statehood. The situation in the Palestinian lands is very dangerous and Egypt exerts much efforts to facilitate a resumption of negotiations and break the deadlock, Maher said.

Despite the change in the post-September 11 world, it remains in need of peace, security and economic welfare, Maher said.

He added, "many regional countries lack prosperity because the Palestinian issue remains unsolved."

It seems that the Israeli government has not committed itself to international legitimacy and recognition of the Palestinians' rights, Maher said .

The Israelis seek to provoke some Palestinians to fireback at Israel and thus give them the prelude to stymie negotiation which they know will eventually lead to an Israeli recognition of the Palestinian right to statehood, he added.

On the other hand, Maher received yesterday Egypt' permanent delegate to the UN, Ahmad Abul Gheit. During the meeting, Abul Gheit submitted to Maher a report on the outcome of the proceedings of the 56th session of the UN General Assembly.

Maher, discussed with Abul Gheit the developments of the Palestinian question in the security Council and (UNGA).

Previous Stories:
  Combatting terrorism requires collective international efforts   (1/1/2002)
  Egypt hopes India, Pakistan resolve their crisis   (1/1/2002)
  Maher repeats Egypt's rejection of US strikes against any Arab country   (12/29/2001)

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