Mubarak discusses peace strategy with Saudi Foreign Minister

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak yesterday received Prince Saud A1 Faysal, the Saudi Foreign Minister with whom he discussed the Arab peace strategy and efforts exerted for halting Israeli escalation against Palestinian people.

The talks come within the framework of sustained consultations and contacts between Egypt and Saudi Arabia on intensive efforts and initiatives that aim for lifting the siege imposed on the Palestinian people, securing withdrawal of the Israeli troops from Palestinian territories and bringing the peace process back to track in preparation for implementing Mitchell recommendation and Tenet recommendationsplan The meeting also discussed ways of coordinating stances before the convening of the Arab summit conference.

The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher and Saudi ambassador in Cairo Ibrahim A1 Saad and Director of the Arab desk at the Saudi Foreign Ministry Khaled A1 Gandan.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said on Tuesday that President Hosni Mubarak's talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Saud A1 Faysal covered the Arab summit.

He added that Prince Saud would head for Syria and Lebanon in preparation for the Arab summit in light of the currently-proposed Saudi initiative as regards the Mideast peace process.

Maher expressed hope that US Vice President Dick Cheney would meet Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

He said the US, as a peace sponsor, should listen to both sides.

Whether he believed that the Saudi initiative was an integral whole, Maher said "we have gone a long way in drafting this integrated initiative which deals with all sides of the problem, either regards Palestine or Syria or Lebanon."

Asked about whether a similar initiative would be drafted on what is known as the Iraqi-Kuwaiti case, Maher said he does not know whether an initiative in this respect will be launched, however, what is important, according to Maher, is the presence of clear Iraqi stances that would help discuss the issue positively.

As regards the Iraqi pre-conditions for allowing international inspectors to return to the country, Maher said -such points should be discussed during the Iraqi meetings with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Asked about Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon's recent statements and Arafat's participation in the upcoming Arab summit, Maher played down the statements given by Sharon who, Maher said, was capitalising on any situation to further hinder the peace process.

How can an Arab summit be held without the Palestinian cause on its the agenda, Maher asked.

He described Israel's continued violence as a total failure to face reality.

Israel has always been occupying Palestinian lands, and when speaking about concessions they withdraw from the same areas again, said Maher recalling the recent Israeli pullback from the Palestinian self-rule areas "A". No body could ever be deceived by such Israeli policies, he added.

With regard to the joint news conference by Cheney and Sharon, Maher said such statements should be studied.

The Foreign Minister said he held a meeting with Prince Saud A1 Faysal and Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa for discussing topics to be addressed by the Arab summit.

He said the Arab summit could probe a full dressed project for supporting Palestinian rights.

He said there are no disagreement on Arab goals by the thing which is needed is to launch a full dressed plan that could be provided for the world and the Israeli people.

He said Saudi Arabia is having consultations with other parties for reaching a common draft for the Saudi initiative adding a long way has been cut in this regard.