Mubarak, Sarkozy, Abbass, Hamas discuss Gaza crisis
Egypt-Palestine-France, Politics, 1/6/2009

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak stressed in his talks with the French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday in Sharm El-Sheikh the need for Israel to halt immediately its military operations in Gaza, Egypt State Information Service reported.

The report added that "He also stressed the need to move quickly to reopen the crossings and to ensure safe passage for relief aid. President Mubarak called on France, which holds the presidency of the Security Council this month to support the current Arab move."

The report added "He emphasized the need to bear the responsibility of the Security Council to stop Israeli aggression and contain its repercussions on the security and political stability of the Middle East and the humanitarian repercussions on the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Ambassador Suleiman Awwad, the Presidential spokesman said President Sarkozy reiterated France's support for President Mubarak's views on ways of finding a way out of the current crisis, indicating that Egypt is qualified for playing a key and indispensable role for containing the crisis."

Egypt State Information Service also reported that "A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo Mondayfor talks with Egyptian officials on the situation in Gaza ... Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit said we have asked for dispatching a delegation from Hamas with the powers to discuss how to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and how to help the Palestinians to find a wayout and to reach reconciliation. This is the first meeting between Egypt and Hamas since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on Gaza."

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met Monday in Ramallah, with the French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Abbas demanded an immediate unconditional end to the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, after which he was ready to discuss “all other issues, including

The President added that there is a “humanitarian catastrophe” in the Gaza Strip, stressing that humanitarian aid must be delivered to the 1.5 million Palestinian citizens in the Gaza Strip, who are left without water, electricity, medicine or food.

He affirmed that he would head to New York, where he will work on issuing a UN Security Council resolution to immediately end the aggression on Gaza. He also reminded that the only way to end the conflict was the end of the occupation, according to the international legitimacy.

On his side, the French President Nicolas Sarkozy affirmed his confidence in President Abbas, saying that he was a man of peace, moderation and dialogue, and reiterating the European Union’s support for him.
He reiterated the European Union’s condemnation of the Israeli ground offensive on the Gaza Strip and said that France wants an immediate ceasefire, to end the “dramatic” humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Meantime, The Government of India condemned the ongoing incursion into Gaza by Israeli ground and other forces. A statement by the Indian Official Spokesperson on the situation in Gaza said the government urged an immediate end to military action by all concerned. “The suffering of civilians in the region must end”, the spokesperson said.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak discusses with Abbas momentum in the peace process   (10/28/2008)
  Egyptian contacts with USA, EU on peace conference's preparations   (11/14/2007)
  Egypt France common ground on policy towards Palestinian issue   (11/13/2006)

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