Israel has to withdraw from Palestinian self-rule territories

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher addressed a call to the civilized world to act promptly to pressure Israel into withdrawing from Palestinian self-rule territories it has recently occupied and showing good faith for restarting serious negotiations with the aim of attaining a settlement based on the principles of international legitimacy.

The escalation in the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people although condemned by the whole world, including the US, proves the insistence of Sharon on remaining outside the boundaries of international legitimacy and the codes of ethics, and on defying the world.

The Foreign Minister was speaking during a stopover in Paris en route to Morocco to attend a Mediterranean-European meeting.

"Sharon's attitude", he said," puts a responsibility on the civilized world of facing up this attitude and taking necessary measures to stop these acts".