Conflict overburdened Egypt

Egyptian Prime Minister Atef Ebeid said Egypt suffered much more than any other Arab states as a result of the Arab Israeli conflict.

He said the Egyptian foreign policy in this respect is characterized by wisdom and not by reactions.

In an interview with Qatari Al Watan newspaper, the Prime Minister referred to the Egyptian reaction to the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, saying Egypt offered much sacrifices for the sake of the Palestinian people since 1948, adding that the volume of losses and destruction incurred by Egypt as a result of this conflict was higher than sacrifices shouldered by any other Arab states.

Answering a question on whether the Egyptian political situation is linked to economic support, he said the Egyptian decision has its own calculations, referring to the implications of any decision by Egypt to go to war.

Replying to a question on Egypt's attitude towards Israeli endeavours for finding a substitute to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Ebeid said Arafat is the symbol of the struggle of the Palestinian people.

He added Egypt can defend itself but the deployment of the Egyptian army outside national frontier is ruled out.

He said all Arab state couldn't interfere militarily at the present time.

He said Egypt is against any attempt to overthrow Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, as this does not conform to international law.

He said Egypt cooperates in security field with many world countries including the United States in order to wipe out any terrorist organizations.

He said the decision by donor countries to give Egypt 10 billion dollars along a period of four years is a declaration of confidence in the Egyptian economy.