Mubarak: Israeli should face reality of Palestinian elections

In an interview with Cypriot "Phileleftheros" newspaper, Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak said we should not lose hope regarding the possibility of establishing peace in the region.

He said the achievement of peace is a noble and sublime goal worth the efforts exerted by Egypt and the international community.

Peace, he said, was established between Egypt and Israel after many wars. Mubarak wondered why peace could be established between the Palestinians and Israel; indeed on all tracks of the peace process.

He said he addressed an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister-designate Ehud Olmert to meet him at Sharm al-Sheikh. Mubarak urged all Palestinian factions to rally their ranks and stand as one man to show that they are trustworthy as partners in peace efforts.

Mubarak said that the latest Israeli and Palestinian elections have generated new realities in the post-Sharon era.

The Palestinian Authority, the Hamas-led government and Palestinian factions, he said, should rearrange their home from inside and work towards achieving the interests and aspirations of the Palestinian people.

The Israeli government should realize that unilateral measures would not help establish peace. Meanwhile, the international community should maintain economic aid to the Palestinians.