Maher summons British charge d'affaires in Cairo

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher Tuesday summoned British charge d'affaires in Cairo Mike Gifford.

Gifford said Maher stressed the current serious conditions in the Middle East, noting that he agrees with the Foreign Minister that the situation is critical.

What is really important at present is to curb violence and go ahead with the implementation of the Mitchell recommendations, he added.

He noted that Maher has demonstrated Egypt's stance regarding the Israeli policies of assassinating Palestinian figures.

The British official said he discussed with Maher the statements made by Ben Bradshaw, British Minister of State at the foreign office, in which he said that the Israeli policy is not in the interest of the situation at all.

Gifford noted that it is impossible to pursue this policy, adding that Britain shares the Egyptian government's views over the serious deterioration of the current situation in the region.

Gifford said he would convey the Egyptian viewpoint to his government in London.

The only way to move things forward is through the Mitchell report, he pointed out, stressing that Britain will continue exerting efforts within the context of the G8, the European Union (EU) and contacts with the United States and countries in the region.