Maher underlines difference between terrorism and resistance

Maher underlined the importance of differentiating between terrorism and resistance of occupation.

At a symposium held at Bookings Institute in Washington on Thursday, Maher said in response to a question by former US Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk that Egypt condemned any attacks against civilians in any case.

Egypt rejects attacks against Israeli civilians as much as it strongly condemns Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians, said Maher, recalling the Palestinian schoolchildren killed in recent Israeli attacks and Hamas members assassinated by Israel.

"At the time Egypt welcomes the latest statements by US State Secretary Colin Powell, it follows with concern the Israeli challenge of the US view as a way to settle the Middle East conflict," added Maher.

"Egypt withdrew its ambassador from Israel but contacts between Tel Aviv and Cairo are still continuing at many levels although it is sometimes difficult to figure out who is talking in the name of Israel," said the Egyptian top diplomat.

Once final-status negotiations are resumed, Egypt will send a new ambassador to Israel, said Maher, noting that Egypt's withdrawn ambassador to Israel, Mohammad Bassiouni, has become a Shura Council member.