Maher receives ambassadors of US, Britain and France

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher held separate meetings Monday with the US, British and French ambassadors, Maher told the ambassadors that the Israeli government's statements and stance went against the atmosphere created by the Arab peace initiative.

In statements, Maher said he asked the US, Britain and France to shoulder responsibilities vis-a-vis the Israeli practices and stances so as to hold serious negotiations to be conducted to make peace.

Maher added that he posted the ambassadors on the Sharm El-Sheikh joint statement which reaffirmed the Arabs' desire to make peace and end violence. The ambassadors showed satisfaction with the outcome of the three-way summit of President Hosni Mubarak, Syrian President Bashar El-Assad and Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Ben Abed El-Aziz as well as Arab peace efforts.

Welch said he received from Maher a positive evaluation of these meetings, particularly as regards the insistence on the part of Egypt, Syria and Saudi Arabia to push the Arab peace initiative ahead and to resume the Middle East peace process.

The meeting was good, said Welch, voicing relief over the efforts exerted on the diplomatic front and that the impetus is going in the direction of resuming dialogue. Commenting in his meeting With Maher, British Ambassador in Cairo John Sawers said he had discussed on Monday with Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher the latest developments in the Middle region.

He added that the talks also covered efforts to end deterioration in the region and resume the peace process with the participation of all sides concerned.

On Israeli Likud Party's refusal to set up a Palestinian State Sawers said "this is an internal Israeli affair. It is not my responsibility." It is noted that Maher held a meeting on Middle East issue with France ambassador to Egypt Franco is Doffer.