Maher, Kurtzer review bilateral cconsultations to revive peace efforts

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher met Monday with US Ambassador in Cairo Daniel Kurtzer.

Emerging from the meeting, Kurtzer said that the meeting afforded a chance to review the Egyptian-US consultations over the status quo between the Palestinians and Israelis, adding that the meeting with the Foreign Minister consummates another with President Hosni Mubarak this morning.

The US Ambassador said his talks with President Mubarak and Maher fall within the framework of coordination to convince the Palestinians and Israelis to tone down violence and re-build confidence between them.

He described this stage as very difficult and marred with tension, referring to several contacts conducted between Maher and US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

On the US reaction over President Mubarak's statements Sunday, Kurtzer said that part of the current dialogue mirrors appreciations of President Mubarak's ungrudging efforts and the leading role he assumes in the bids with the Palestinian and Israeli sides to end the violence and stem the bloodletting.

"Egypt welcomes the positive US stance reflected in statements by State Secretary Colin Powell on the Mitchell Commission report and the Egyptian-Jordanian initiative for terminating the unprecedent Israeli aggression," said Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher.

In press statements late Monday, Maher said that Egypt also welcomes Powell's words in which he said that the US will exert intensive efforts during the coming period to reach a framework for putting the report recommendations and the initiative into effect.

"It is not enough to have statements that are not materialized into firm practical steps for preventing further tension and deterioration in the situation, which has already reached a very serious stage because of the Israeli government," Maher said .

"Egypt demands the Israeli government to immediately terminate all acts of aggression against the Palestinians, lift the siege, halt settlement activities and respond positively to efforts exerted by the US and the international community to create a peace-friendly atmosphere," said Maher. "President Hosni Mubarak appreciates US President George W. Bush's personal interest," he added.