Mubarak, Arafat discuss ME peace, Israeli aggression on Lebanon

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat left Cairo Thursday night for Gaza after a brief visit to Cairo where he had talks with President Hosni Mubarak.

The two leaders reviewed the latest developments in the Middle East peace process. "President Hosni Mubarak is exerting strenuous efforts to resume negotiations on the three tracks," Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat told Middle East News Agency (MENA) following his meeting with the President.

Arafat added he reviewed with the President the present situation and the obstacles created by Israel.

The Palestinian leader lauded the President's strong stance in supporting the Palestinians.

"President Mubarak makes his utmost to secure an accurate and honest implementation of the already-signed agreements and to remove all hindrances obstructing the way of the three Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian tracks," he added.

Arafat said that US peace envoy Dennis Ross would come to the region on Sunday in a fresh bid to reach an agreement on implementing what had been agreed upon. He added that US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright would arrive in the region later this month.

The Palestinian leader accused Israel of failing to honestly and accurately comply with the implementation timetables. "There is also Israel's attempt to impose on us maps which we have not seen or discussed. There is also another important point which is Israel's escape from implementing the third stage of redeployment. This stage is preceding the final negotiations which should have initiated several years ago," said Arafat.