Egypt, Israel discuss natural gas deal

President Hosni Mubarak met Israel's infrastructure Minister Eli Suissa, who delivered a Message from Shas movement, a key partner in Israel's ruling coalition of Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

The Israeli official told reporters following the meeting that Mubarak had stressed the importance of pushing ahead the regional peace drive to help create a favorable atmosphere suitable for establishing normal ties between Israel and the Arab countries.

During talks with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Fahmi, the two sides explored the possibility of export natural gas to Israel.

They agreed to encourage negotiations between energy firms working in both countries and pledged to facilitate any such deal, according to a Ministry statement.

"If such a deal is clinched, the two governments will work to handle any matter pending between the two countries in order to reach a full implementation of the contract," the Egyptian Ministry said in the statement.

Israel was interested in diversifying its sources of natural gas despite the recent discovery of gas fields in Israel," Suissa said.

Suissa added he hoped his trip would be the beginning of cooperation, understanding and strengthening relations with Egypt, which will lead in the end to a comprehensive peace agreement and stability in all of the Middle East.