Maher talks with Katz tackle situation in Palestinian areas

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said he had talks Sunday with Israeli Knesset member Yossi Katz on the policies of the new leader of the Israeli Labour Party Amram Mitana, adding Katz conveyed a message from Mitzna to President Hosni Mubarak, in which he commended the President's peace efforts.

ÊÊÊ Katz expounded the new policies of the Labor leader which he said, mirrored a will to resume the peace process and that he had promised he would go into direct negotiations with the Palestinians if he won the upcoming Israeli elections, said Maher.

ÊÊÊ He said the Knesset member referred to the successful experience of the new Labor Party leader when he was mayor of Haifa, where he managed to create an atmosphere of confidence and coexistence between the Palestinian and Israelis.

ÊÊÊ Katz praised the role played by Egypt as the pivotal and most important nation in the Middle East region. In statements he gave following his meeting with Maher and Presidential Political Advisor Osama Al-Baz, he said views were exchanged Sunday over developments in the region, the peace process and labor's ideas to return to the negotiations and consequently reach a settlement.

ÊÊÊ Katz said that he was in Egypt to convey a message to President Hosni Mubarak from new Israeli Labor Party Leader Amram Mitzna, Labor's nominee for the premiership post in the coming Israeli elections.

ÊÊÊ He voiced hope that viewpoints and dialogue with Egypt would continue in a fruitful way.

ÊÊÊ He said his visit also aims to open a new channel between the Israeli Labor Party and the Egyptian leadership. "This is an important matter, in light of the current circumstances, that would give a boost to dialogue with the peace camp in Israel," Katz added.

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