Cairo's Arafat-Peres meeting successful

The Egyptian Presidential Political adviser Osama El-Baz on Tuesday said the recent meeting between Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres achieved progress.

Baz, however, refused to reveal which specific items the two sides were able to make progress on.

"Time is not ripe yet to see the progress already on the ground," he told diplomatic editors.

Commenting on the meeting of Palestinian Local Government Saeb Erekat with Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher Monday night at the Foreign Ministry, Baz said it completed the Egyptian-Palestinian summit meeting in terms of reviewing the disconcerting situation in the region and arranging for the Arab follow-up committee meeting in Cairo. The meeting will take place on Wednesday.

Baz said Peres's visit to Cairo helped achieve some points, hoping that such progress would be maintained.

Asked about the Israeli escalations and Monday's bombing in Israel, Baz was hopeful the deplorable blast would not thwart the steps that could be taken within the coming days.

"We hope the climate will improve so that no similar incidents take place. We are following the situation closely and hope that no exaggerated Israeli reaction will take place," he said.

Baz said Egypt in holding contacts with all parties, including the US, Europe, Russia, the Palestinians and Israel to help reduce tension.

Answering accusations that Egypt broke the Arab consensus not to hold contacts with Israel, Baz said: "Such talks is not correct and is baseless because the role of Egypt is clear".

"The decision taken by the Arab nation cannot prevent Egypt from supporting the Palestinian party through intervening with the Israelis, American, Europeans and others," he said.