The status quo in the occupied land, no longer acceptable

Egyptian President Mubarak yesterday met Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat Sunday for discussing latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories in the framework of sustained coordination and consultation between the Egyptian and Palestinian sides.

The President has received Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres earlier in the day, who was on a flight visit to Cairo at his request for talks with Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher.

On whether Peres would convey specific ideas for ending current Israeli escalation, diplomatic sources said the Israeli Foreign Minister did not inform the Egyptian side of any ideas in this respect, adding Cairo listened to the ideas he conveyed.

The sources said Cairo informed Peres that the continuation of the status quo was no longer acceptable.

The sources said if Peres visit to Cairo was proved to be no more than a step for gaining time, Egypt's broadmindedness no longer tolerates those equivocations, given the current indications which give rise to concern that things could turn out of control.

Meantime, Radio Israel quoted sources as saying that a meeting could be held between Arafat and Peres in Cairo Sunday.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said Secretary of State Colin Powell urged Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to exert utmost efforts for avoiding further deterioration in the Palestinian territories.

Boucher said Powell, during a telephone call with Sharon, said the Israeli and Palestinian sides should undertake an immediate action for avoiding further deterioration.

The spokesman said the Secretary of State touched on news carried by British sources that Israel was planning to launch a large scale offensive on the Palestinian National Authority.

The spokesman said Powell asserted that Israel did not touch on this subject during all contacts and talks with the US administration.

A spokesman for the Israeli army denied the news carried by the foreign report and said in press statements yesterday that the Israeli army, like any army in the world, has plans for confronting many potentialities.

However, the spokesman did not give details of the plan.

Reporting from Gaza, the Palestinian National Authority warned Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon against the risks involved in launching a military operation against the Palestinian leadership and its bodies.