Sovereignty over Jerusalem Arab- Christian-Muslim affair

"The issue of sovereignty over Jerusalem is an Arab Christian-Islamic concern, and Egypt has specific ideas that it does not try to impose," only raises to Presidential Advisor Osama A1 Baz said.

"Palestinians have to agree first on those ideas that must in turn receive Arab support before they are presented to Israel in their final form and they must be placed under discussion to reach a compromise that would bridge the gap," Baz added.

Jerusalem is not the only gap, since there are others pertaining to borders, refugees and security arrangements, he said.

The issue of Jerusalem is the most contentious, given its historical, religious and national aspects and sensitivities, he added.

On reports on Egyptian-American differences on Mideast peace, Baz said the matter is not one of differences.

Both sides are committed to the UN resolutions and the understanding that Palestinians should exercise control on the Christian and Muslim sanctities, and Christian and Muslim areas, and the Armenian sector in Jerusalem, he added.

However, there are measures of protection pertaining to a certain status of the holy places while keeping Jerusalem open, when it comes to its facilities, he said.

On whether Syria was eager to return to the negotiating table with Israel, Baz said Syria was not in a rush to resume negotiations, but added that the two sides were interested in negotiations.

"Syria does not want to rush into negotiations as long as Israel is not ready for them," he said.

"Syria's position is not weaker than Israel's," he added.

On reported differences on the holding of an Arab summit, Baz said there were no differences in the real sense of the word. "We are studying with Syria how to provide the appropriate climate and unanimity for holding a useful and successful summit".