Palestinian- Egyptian talks in Ramullah aims at a new truce

The Egyptian Foreign minister Ahmed Maher and the director of the general intelligence Omar Suleiman held talks with the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Ramullah.

In a joint press conference with Arafat, Maher stressed that Egypt seeks to make consultation with the Palestinian leadership in order to achieve the objectives of the Palestinian people and just peace.

Maher explained that Egypt is working for the resumption of the Israeli- Palestinian negotiations but on the ground that there will be good intentions from the side of the Israelis, in order to build peace and achieve the objectives of the Arab initiative and the roadmap on correct foundations and an agenda that discusses all issues.

Maher said that Egypt will submit to the International Court of Justice today its position concerning the Israeli wall of separation which is installed on the lands of the West Bank.

For his part, the Palestinian President commended Egypt's position and its support for the Palestinian people and the efforts it exert at the Arab, international and Israeli level in order to give a push forward to the peace process in the region. Arafat explained that he had agreed during his meeting with Maher on several and important steps in this framework but did not explain the nature of these steps.

The two Egyptian officials met in Tel Aviv before heading for Ramullah with the Representative of the UN in the region, Terry Rod Larsen, who expressed to them his concern over the deterioration of the humanitarian conditions among the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. the UN official also warned against the escalation of chaos in the Palestinian areas with the weakness of the authority and the strength of the resistance groups.