US Ambassador to Egypt stresses importance of its role in ME

US Ambassador to Egypt Daniel Kurtzer expressed hope that the Palestinian and Israeli sides would show enough interest in the Egyptian-Jordanian initiative in a way that could cool down violence in the Middle East.

These starements were made following the US Ambassador meeting with Foreign Minister Amr Moussa late Sunday.

Moussa briefed the Ambassador on the outcome of the meeting held on Sunday between President Hosni Mubarak and Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres.

Kurtzer praised the Egyptian-Jordanian initiative as conductive to ending violence, describing it as very important.

Within the framework of its interest to put an end to violence in the Middle East. Washington will receive Peres on Monday for talks on means to revive peace, said the US Ambassador, adding that he would convey to Washington the outcome of talks the Israeli Foreign Minister had in Cairo on Sunday.

Kurtzer described the Egyptian role to restore peace in the Middle East as basic and effective.

He added that there are a lot of contacts between Cairo, Amman and Washington and the other parties concerned to end violence and resume negotiations.

The Ambassador said that the US Ambassador to Jordan will report to Washington on the meeting held on Sunday between King Abdullah and the Israeli Foreign Minister.

US President George W. Bush appointed on Friday a new ambassador to Egypt to replace Kurtzer.

David Welch, Former Undersecretary of State for International Organizations and Near East Affairs, will take over immediately after departure of Kurtzer.