Egypt's peace role central, instrumental

Egypt's recalled ambassador from Israel Mohamed Bassiouni said Egypt's peacemaking role is firm, central, pivotal and Egypt does not expect anybody to define its role in peace.

In an interview with Good Morning Egypt television program Wednesday, he said that Egypt's current role in the peace process runs on two parallel lines, the first is to stop the vicious circle of violence and counter-violence, to calm the situation, provide the proper climate for rights, lives and property.

The other line perused is to resume the peace march on the basis of international legitimacy, he added.

"Egypt will continue its activities and does not expect anybody to define its role," he said.

On the results of his recall from Tel Aviv, Bassiouni said its aim was to protect the lives of Palestinians and their national legitimate rights.

"We want to reach the goal, namely to realize peace, the goal is not war or violence," he said.

When Egypt took this wise decision to recall its ambassador, it came at the right time and a clear message reached the Israeli leadership, that the excessive use of force is not a sound policy, he added.

The use of force will not produce peace or stability, ambassador Bassiouni said. Peace and negotiations are the only way to solve regional and international problems, provided that such peace should be a comprehensive and a durable one.

He expressed the belief that Israeli Elections will be held in April or May 2001, adding the time factor is very important, he said the Israeli Prime Minister should move in the direction of peace and should have a genuine desire to carry out international legitimacy resolutions.

On his return to Tel Aviv, Bassiouni said this is a political decision taken by political leadership at the time which is deemed favorable for the interest of the Palestinian cause.