Israeli attempts to build third temple doomed to fail

Egyptian Presidential Political Adviser Osama A1 Baz Wednesday stressed that all Israeli attempts to lay the foundation stone for the alleged third Temple were doomed to failure. "No side is supporting Israeli desecration of the Islamic holy places," Baz said.

In statements following the meeting between President Hosni Mubarak and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, Baz said "If Israel insists on moving in this director, there will be confrontations not only between it and the Arab nation but with the entire Islamic nation."

"So the Israelis should think twice before going in this direction," he added.

"We really feel the gravity of the situation and President Mubarak is determined to break the cycle of Israeli violence, because leaving the situation to deteriorate in this way would dangerously engulf the whole region and other countries," said Baz.

About holding an emergency Arab summit, Baz said the Palestinian Authority has many alternatives and not only one. There is good readiness to accept holding an Arab summit but in this case the PA has to think of what it wants to come out of the summit whether it is mini or expanded.

"Holding an Arab summit is not a protest action, because when Arab leaders meet at this level, expectations and responsibilities are big," Baz said.

"We are trying to find the most effective way to make an Arab move backed by the international community to put the peace process back on track and start implementing the Mitchell recommendations,'' he added.

He said Mubarak and Arafat discussed Arab alternatives to contain the deteriorating situation and rally the international community against Israeli intransigence.