Bassiouni: Israeli withdrawal should be part of Roadmap

Egypt's Ambassador Mohamed Bassiouni, Head of the Shura Council's national security and foreign and Arab affairs committee, said Wednesdaythat Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and the northern West Bank should be part of the Roadmap peace plan.

In an interview with the Egyptian television, he called to find solutions to the sensitive issues including Al-Quds, the refugees and water, and that parties should sit at the negotiating table first, he said.

Regarding Rafah checkpoint he said that it will be manned by Egyptians and Palestinians and a third party could be involved provided this party is not Israel.