Maher to BBC: We will not leave Sharon close door before peace
Egypt-Israel, Politics, 7/9/2002

Egypt's contacts with the Palestinian and Israeli sides are aimed at avoiding more clashes between them, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher said yesterday.

Interviewed by the BBC on the sidelines of Durban's African summit, Maher reaffirmed that Israeli policies were the reason behind such confrontations between both sides.

Maher also highlighted the necessity of respecting the legitimate and elected Palestinian leadership.

"Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's policies might be aimed at closing roads for peace, but Egypt will not give him such a chance," Maher said.

As regards US President George W. Bush's speech on the Mideast, Maher quoted President Hosni Mubarak as saying that the positive points in the speech should be magnified and deepened, while the negative ones should be surmounted.

"Contacts with the US, EU and Arab countries will continue to help find a way out of the Israeli-created logjam," Maher said.

There is a common interest in finding a way-out of the current stalemate in the Middle East, said Maher, adding that the current crisis is not in the interest of Palestinians, Israelis of any other party.

"It only resulted in a volatile situation which had its negative impact on the economies of Middle East countries and on western interests in the region," he added.

"Pro-peace talks should continue to help find a just and comprehensive solution based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions," Maher said.

The situation in the Middle East is very complicated, but President Mubarak is determined to pursue efforts with the aim of realizing a final settlement, to be based on a complete Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 borders and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state with Al Quds as its capital.

Previous Stories:
  Sharon confers with al-Baz   (6/1/2002)
  Maher blames Israel for ME crisis   (5/23/2002)
  Baz expects an agreement on convening international conference next July   (5/23/2002)

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