Egypt denies naming new envoy to Israel

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher yesterday dismissed media reports that Egypt had named a new envoy to Israel. "When Egypt decided to send a new envoy to Israel, it will publicly announce such decision," Maher said.

Egypt withdrew its envoy, Mohammed Bassyouni, late last year in protest against Israel's brutal crackdown against Palestinian civilians.

Maher also blasted Israel's decision to ban Palestinian President Yasser Arafat from attending a Christmas mass in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. "This is a new act of provocation to the international legitimacy," Maher said.

He also shrugged off Israeli media attacks against Egypt and President Hosni Mubarak. "We do not look at these attacks and we know very well the sources and reasons behind them," he said.