Mubarak: Resisting occupation is legitimate, Golan June 4 line a must

In a full dressed interview to German 'Der Speigel' magazine to be published today, President Hosni Mubarak has underlined the legitimacy of resisting occupation, adding that this principle is one of the essential rights of all peoples.

The President said Israeli killed soldiers, were not killed in Israel's land rather in south Lebanon, explaining that Hizbullah is resisting the Israeli occupation.

Mubarak said the situation in Lebanon is very serious , referring to the furor raised by Israel against the visit he has made to Lebanon, saying it is not understood. The president wondered how could Israel criticize the visit and attempt to instigate the United States against Egypt, expounding that his visit to Beirut was aimed at encouraging the Lebanese who felt that they were alone.

The president said in the interview he made with the German magazine that Syria is fed up of the Israeli sustained hesitation, adding procrastination maneuvers by Israel and its bombs against the Lebanese have considerably eroded Israel's credibility.

Mubarak called on Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak to abandon his maneuvers and to take hard decisions like those taken by late President Sadat. The president also called on Israel to withdraw from the Golan Heights and to be aware of the fact that peace would be more beneficial to it than the continuation of war.

Mubarak said the Palestinian issue is the core and crux of the Middle East conflict, describing it as timed bomb that may blast at any time. He said time would come when President Yasser Arafat would not be able to tolerate more pressures.

President Mubarak said Israelis are arrogant, adding they should be more reserved in their statements, which trigger anger and hatred in the Arab street. Mubarak expressed conviction that Israel is incapable of striking a wedge between Syrian and Lebanon, indicating that Lebanese and Syrians are moving seriously to achieve peace.

Mubarak added that Lebanese resistance would continue as long as Israel sustains its occupation of southern Lebanon and the Golan Heights. He said no Syrian president can abandon one inch of the Syrian territories.

Referring to the important role of the United States, Mubarak said President Clinton is willing to end his term with establishing peace in the Middle East, adding that we should not forget the role of Europe that could serve the peace process.

President Mubarak said Egypt is currently building a railway line to Palestine, adding when peace is achieved, this line could be extended to Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Turkey. Mubarak said there is no indication that Syrian-Israeli negotiations on returning the Golan heights to Syria would be resumed in the near future, adding that Israel would not enjoy peace with Syria if it did not return to the borders which were existing before June 4, 1967.

Mubarak said Israel is not prepared to offer a guarantee on the return of the Golan before the resumption of negotiations, adding that Damascus has been fed up with the Israeli hesitation.

Mubarak expounded that the Syrian President Hafez Al-Assad has been closely following up the way the Israelis have been treating the Palestinians.

On whether he still believes that negotiations between Syria and Israel on the Golan would come to a positive conclusion, Mubarak said we should cling to hope so that the peace process may forge ahead, adding that Barak must stop his political maneuvers, and take courageous stances.