Egyptian concern over Israel practices
Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/13/2005

In his meeting with the Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom, the Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Abul Gheit tried to concentrate on the issue of the settlements which was ignored by Shalom, stressing that continued Israeli settlement is a huge obstacle before the foundation of a Palestinian state, as stated in the Roadmap.

Abul Gheit expressed Egypt's concern over the Israeli extremists attempts to break into al-Aqsa Mosque. He said that these attempts threaten the peace process in the region and of "foiling the efforts made by Egypt to reach a calm down, and to break the cycle of violence."

Concerning normalization between the Arabs and Israel, the Egyptian foreign minister pointed to Israel's need to accept the Arab Peace Initiative which was approved by the Arab states in their summit in Beirut in 2002.

Abul Gheit said Tuesday that President Hosni Mubarak's meeting with visiting Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom tackled regional developments and peace efforts.

He told reporters that the 90-minute talks between Mubarak and Shalom also dwelt on the current Palestinian-Israeli situation and the need to implement the roadmap peace plan to expedite the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and north of the West Bank and control conditions in the area.

The meeting, Abul Gheit added, also covered bilateral relations and the outcome of the meeting held between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and US President George Bush in the US on Monday.

Speaking to reporters, Shalom expressed pleasure for being in Cairo and meeting President Mubarak once again, underscoring the great role which the Egyptian leader plays to bring about peace to the region. He stressed the importance of working together to realize peace and serve mutual interests.

He said that his discussions with President Mubarak focused on the need to confront terror and stop it from jeopardizing peace efforts. Shalom said that he asked the Egyptian leader to continue his much-appreciated efforts to encourage moderate Palestinian attitudes. The future of the peace process should be decided on by moderates and not by extremists, he stressed.

Shalom said he believed utmost efforts had to be pursued now so as not to lose the existing opportunity. Shalom said he discussed Egyptian-Israeli relations with President Mubarak. He referred to the progress in the relationship witnessed in the past few months thanks to the mutual commitment to enhance it in the interest of the two sides.

Meantime, Russia has warned that recent deterioration in the occupied Palestinian territories might greatly affect the Middle East peace process and lead to a new wave of confrontation.

Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Alexnader Yakovenko said in a statement Monday evening that Israel's killing of three boys south of Gaza Strip and its violations near al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem had led to more deterioration of the situation and raised deep concern for Moscow.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Azhar Imam calls on international community to protect Aqsa Mosque   (4/11/2005)
  Palestinian dialogue tackled agreement on truce and political participation   (3/17/2005)
  Mubarak reviews with Abu Mazen progress of inter-Palestinian dialogue   (3/17/2005)

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