Maher makes contacts to end deterioration in Palestinian territories

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher on Friday held contacts with Italian Foreign Minister Renato Ruggiero and EU security commissioner Javier Solana to discuss ways to halt the deterioration in the Palestinian territories.

Meanwhile, Maher received phone calls from Palestinian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Nabil Shaath and chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.

The situation in Palestine is seriously accentuating with Israel's insistance on undermining and isolating the Palestinian Authority, while urging it to take measures to stop the cycle of violence, Maher said.

The world should realise that such a contradiction in Israel's attitude reveals its intention to avoid returning to the negotiating table and implement international legitimacy resolutions, the Minister noted.

Maher called on the U.S., the European Union, the UN, and Russia to take a positive action to put an end to the worsening Mideast situation and help isolate extremists from on sides with the ultimate aim of achieving just peace.

Egypt wants the UN Security Council to issue the appropriate resolution in cooperation and coordination with the Palestinian delegation, Arab countries and members of the Non-Alligned Movement, Maher said.