Abul-Gheit meets Jebril Rajoub on Palestinian situation
Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 7/14/2005

Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul -Gheit received yesterday Jebril al-Rajoub, the Palestinian Authority Security Adviser, currently visiting Egypt.

Abul-Gheit said that Egypt's belief that Israel's separation wall in the West Bank would lead to the imposition of a fait accompli blocking the idea of establishing a viable Palestinian State and affecting economic and social life of the Palestinian people.

He regretted that the Israeli measures in the vicinity of al-Quds city and continuation of construction of the wall on the Palestinian lands.

Egyptian-Palestinian talks dealt with the Israeli pullout from Gaza and some parts of the West Bank.

Abul- Gheit and Rajoub agreed on the importance of participation by all Palestinian factions in the political process and supporting Palestinian efforts aiming at putting the Palestinian house in order.

On his part, Rajoub told reporters that the aim of the meeting was to post Egypt's leadership on the outcome of the Palestinian-Syrian summit and dialogue between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian factions in Syria.

Rajoub said he briefed Abul -Gheit on the latest developments in preparations for the Israeli pullout from Gaza and parts of the West Bank.

The Palestinian official said the Israeli side was not serious about coordination with the Palestinian Authority on the Israeli withdrawal.

Asked whether Abbas's visit to Damascus and his meetings with the Palestinian factions had contributed to solving differences, Rajoub said the meetings had a positive impact on relations between Fatah and Hamas and on inter-Palestinian dialogue.

He said the Palestinian leadership and Egypt were following up with the Israeli side the issue of withdrawal from Gaza, expressing hope that the withdrawal would be completed in accordance with the international standards.

The Palestinian official said the stances of the Palestinian side and Egypt was identical, pointing out that the Egyptian presence on the ground reflected this reality.

Rajoub said the Israeli side did not inform the Palestinians or the Egyptians of the final Israeli stance on the issue of Rafah crossing. He said that the Israeli side was procrastinating and showed no seriousness on the issue of arrangements on the Egyptian-Palestinian borders.

On the issue of Israel's separation wall, Rajoub said he posted Abul- Gheit on the danger the wall posed to the geographic and demographic life of Palestinians.

The Palestinian Authority security adviser said the foreign minister had asserted to him Egypt's commitment to dealing with this challenge, pointing out that the Palestinian efforts were active at all levels, including the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly.

The Palestinian security official said the idea of establishing the wall would kill the hope of establishing the would-be Palestinian State.

On Palestinian-Syrian relations, Rajoub said Abbas's visit to Damascus constituted a base for building bilateral relations. Security will only be achieved for Israel through establishing an independent Palestinian State, said Rajoub.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak, Abbas review Gaza plan   (7/13/2005)
  Qurei: Israel's decision is 'theft in broad daylight' of Palestinian land   (7/12/2005)
  EU: Egypt plays a key role in filling security and political vacuum in Gaza   (6/25/2005)

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