Mubarak, Abbas talks cover coordination between two leaderships
Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 9/29/2005

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said President Hosni Mubarak's talks with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas took place within the context of continued coordination between the two leaderships.

In statements following the talks, he described the two leaders' meeting as "profound," noting that the Palestinian cause ranks first among Egypt's concerns.

The Palestinian official also underlined Egypt's assistance to the Palestinian people in the fields of rehabilitation,and training and other domains in order that Palestinians could shoulder their responsibilities and achieve their unity and political diversity.

He also said talks dealt with the Israeli settlement activities and the continued construction of the separation wall that should be halted, in addition to the serious deterioration in Gaza Strip.

He said the Palestinian Authority pledged to fully abide by the truce to serve the higher interests of the Palestinian people.

He reaffirmed commitment to the truce which should not be one-sided and that Israel should halt all acts of aggressions or violence.

Asked whether Egypt was in contact with the Israeli side, he said the Palestinian side had called upon President Mubarak to use his influence with all sides.

With regard to the prospective summit meeting between Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, that was scheduled for Sunday, Oct 2, Erekat said the Israeli side had requested that the meeting be postponed.

Erekat also said appropriate preparations should precede the meeting in order that it would be fruitful.

On the threats voiced by Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, Erekat said the Palestinian cause would not be settled through raids, hostilities and assassinations. Such actions would further complicate the situation rather than deterring the Palestinian people.

He asserted that the Palestinian cause would not be resolved militarily, and Israel should rather pull out from the Palestinian territories up to the lines of June 5, 1967, including Jerusalem. The issue of refugees should also be part of the final status solution, he added.

The focus of attention should now be directed towards halting Israeli escalations through the intervention of a third party such as the Quartet committee. The Israeli government should be warned against such actions and to shoulder its responsibility as the Palestinian side was not the only one to blame.

Previous Stories:
  Egypt strongly denounce the Israeli bombardment of Gaza   (9/26/2005)
  Nazif: Egypt maintains support for Palestinian Authority   (9/21/2005)
  Egypt closes border as Palestinians flock back to Gaza   (9/15/2005)

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