Mubarak conducts intensive consultations for resuming peace negotiations

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is continuing intensive contacts with leaders of Arab and foreign countries for containing the deteriorating situation in the occupied lands in a bid to resume the peace negotiations in the light of the Egyptian-Jordanian initiative and Mitchell report.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said President Mubarak's talks with Arab leaders have confirmed Arab agreement on the need for supporting the Palestinian people.

The President's talks manifested determination to continue a political line of action aiming at putting an end to aggression against the Palestinian people and reaching the aspired settlement, "Maher told diplomatic editors at the Foreign Ministry premises Tuesday.

Maher noted that the President's meetings also tackled bilateral relations between Egypt and each of Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

On the outcome of US envoy William Burns's tour of the region, Maher said that he received reports from the Palestinian side on the results of Burns' talks, adding that he would meet with Burns during his tour.

On whether Egypt would forward new proposals to Burns, Maher noted that Egypt would listen to the US envoy and the outcome of his talks with both the Israeli and Palestinian sides.

"The Egyptian stand is clear and known, as manifested in the Egyptian-Jordanian initiative and President Mubarak's statements," said Maher.

He said Egypt has received reports from the Palestinian side on the outcome of the Palestinian talks with the US envoy before his arrival in Cairo tomorrow. He indicated that Egypt has received similar reports from the US side. The Foreign Minister stressed Arab and international interest in the Egyptian Jordanian initiative and Mitchell report.