Abul -Gheit denies proposals on normalization of relations with Israel

Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit yesterday denied reports that there were any proposals on normalization of relations with Israel at the Arab Foreign Ministers meetings that preceded the Algeria-Arab summit.

In statements to the Saudi AL Jazira newspaper, the Foreign Minister said that the Arab countries have set their preconditions for normalizing relations with Israel.

These preconditions include, he said, Israel's withdrawal from all the occupied Arab lands and setting up the state of Palestine over the Palestinian territories along with reaching a just settlement to the issue of refugees in accordance with the international legitimacy resolutions.

He noted that proposals put forth by Jordan were aimed at activating the Arab peace initiative that was endorsed at Beirut Arab summit in 2002.