Suleiman probes Israeli Gaza withdrawal in Ramallah, Tel Aviv
Egypt-Israel, Politics, 6/17/2005

Egyptian Minister Omar Suleiman arrived in Israel Wednesday morning on a lightening visit during which he met with Israeli Prime Minster Ariel Sharon.

Suleiman visit comes ahead of a summit meeting between Sharon and the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, set for Tuesday, and a few days before US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's visit to Tel-Aviv next week.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon received in Jerusalem Wednesday afternoon visiting Suleiman who also met with the Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom.

The meetings addressed ways to implement Israel's disengagement plan, promote the peace process and render the meeting between Sharon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, slated for next Tuesday, a success.

Suleiman discussed with Israeli infrastructure Minister Benjamin Ben Eliezer a deal to supply Israel with Egyptian natural gas.

Israel Radio quoted Suleiman as expressing readiness to deploy Egyptian troops on the Egyptian side of Philadelphia corridor, in southern Gaza. Also, Suleiman met with a Palestinian delegation before his meetings with Israeli officials.

The delegation included Palestinian Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat, Minister of Interior General Nasr Youssef and Advisor to the Palestinian President for National Security Affairs General Jebril Al-Rajoub.

The meeting took up the Palestinian side's contacts with the Israeli government and means of putting into effect Sharm El- Sheikh understandings.

Suleiman had met yesterday with a Palestinian delegation before having meetings with Israeli officials, said Palestinian Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat.

In press statements, Erekat said that the Palestinian delegation included, besides himself, Minister of Interior General Nasr Youssef and Advisor to the Palestinian President for National Security Affairs General Jabril Al-Rajoub.

The meeting took up the Palestinian side's contacts with the Israeli government and means of putting into effect the Sharm EI- Sheikh understandings together.

Palestinian Deputy Premier and Minister of Information Nabil Shaath lauded the role played by Egypt in backing the Palestinian cause in all its phases.

In statements yesterday during his stopover at Cairo Airport coming from Riyadh en route to Ram Allah, Shaath said Egypt is moving on different axes in order to help the Palestinians in settling their problems whether on the domestic, regional or international levels.

He said the current visit by Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul -Gheit to Ram Allah comes within the contact of speedy movements by Egypt since its sponsoring a meeting of Palestinian factions in Cairo and Gaza and its sending a delegation to help reach a truce in the territories.

Shaath said Egypt will always remain keen on achieving Palestinian national unity out of a sense of the seriousness of the situation.

He also said the Egyptian efforts aim as well at discussing the issue of the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Such a step could remove all barriers imposed by Israel on the Palestinian people, he added.

Shaath voiced hope that Egyptian efforts would result in reopening Gaza airport and harbour.

The Minister asserted that Egypt was also making efforts with Israel, the Arab states, the US and Europe as regards developments of the political process in Palestine.

Asked about the achievements that could be reached during Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' meeting with Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon, Shaath said the Israelis are dropping their feet over implementing the Sharm el-Sheikh understandings.

The Israelis were supposed to have withdrawn in two weeks' time after Sharm from five cities in the West.

Shaath said that the Israelis also failed to release all Palestinian detainees in accordance with an agreement reached in this respect.

They released only 360 Palestinian women held in Israeli prisons and did not allow the deportees to return home, besides the siege imposed on all Palestinian cities and villages.

The Minister went on to say that despite recent contacts between Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Palestinian Civil Affairs Minister Mohammad Dahlan no progress had been reached.

During the Abbas-Sharon meeting, Israel is supposed to announce its schedule for implementing the Sharm El-Sheikh understandings.

Previous Stories:
  Agreement for deployment of Egyptian forces at Gaza-Israel border   (6/16/2005)
  Israel warns its citizens from armed attacks in Egypt   (6/11/2005)
  Abu al-Gheit to visit Israel on June 19   (6/8/2005)

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