Failure in agreement with Egypt to extend gas and electricity networks to Israel

US Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson failed yesterday to reach an agreement with the Egyptian government and Ministries of Electricity and Petroleum to implement a project to transport Egyptian gas to Israel and join Israel to the Arab electric link project.

Official Egyptian sources told ArabicNews.com that Cairo informed the US energy secretary, who is currently visiting Cairo, of the two projects' link to Israel's commitment to implementing its pledges to achieve peace in the area.

Richardson referred to presenting special US loans and donations to the energy projects in case of Egypt's agreement to cooperate with Israel on the energy projects, adding that his mission focuses on supporting the economic projects to create an understanding among the area's countries to pave the way for achieving a comprehensive peace.