Cairo refuses to play a security role in Gaza: we shoulder the responsibility of our borders with Gaza
Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 3/12/2004

Cairo has renewed following talks held by the Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom with the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his foreign minister Ahmed Maher its rejection to play any security role inside Gaza in case the Israeli army withdraws from it and vowed to ensure the protection of its borders with Gaza.

Maher told reporters "every and each country is responsible for the protection of its border and we will shoulder this responsibility. But he explained, replying to a question that Egypt will not play any security role in the Gaza sector. A source attended the meeting quoted Mubarak as saying "the matter is left for the Palestinians to guard Gaza and Egypt will protect its side of the border."

Maher explained that it was agreed with Shalom on several "objectives" in order to give a push forward to the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian authority.

Maher expressed his conviction that the Palestinian people will "behave with responsibility when Gaza is handed over to them" and will be "able to keep peace and security and prevent any position conducive to unrest." He said "this is our hope and we do hope everyone to work into this direction." He added that Egypt "welcomes any Israeli withdrawal from the occupied lands," stressing that any step should be within a more comprehensive plan, which is the roadmap which should lead to the foundation of the state of Palestine, beside the state of Israel.

Maher stressed that Shalom conveyed to Mubarak " a verbal message from the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon showing the desire to cooperate in order to reach solutions to standing problems in the Middle East region and to increase cooperation between Egypt and Israel in this regard as well as to boost bilateral relations." He continued that Mubarak "expressed his appreciation for the message and Egypt's desire in the work for establishing peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis on the ground of the roadmap and Egypt's determination to help into this effect."

Shalom arrived in Cairo yesterday morning in a visit which is the first for an Israeli official at this level to Egypt since two years. He told reporters " I am very encouraged by this meeting. There is a new breakthrough in our bilateral relations." He added that Egypt which leads the Arab states has to play a pivotal role "in the march of settlement, noting that his talks with Mubarak is just the beginning that will lead to "more understanding between our two countries and peoples." Maher stressed that peace between Egypt and Israel has not died but some times suffers certain diseases and viruses." On the other hand, the advisor for the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat for national security Jibril and al-Rajoub told the Palestinian daily al-Ayam that Egypt promised to rehabilitate the Palestinian security departments so as to be able to control Gaza in case an Israeli withdrawal takes place.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Rajoub in Egypt to discuss outcome of Fatah meetings with Egypt   (3/1/2004)
  Al-Azhar University students demonstrate against the Israeli wall of separation   (2/24/2004)
  Egyptian parliament deplores Apartheid separation wall   (2/12/2004)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search