Al-Ahram: Understanding on Philadelphia border passage with Israel

Al-Ahram political editor learned that talks on the signing by both Egypt and Israel of a memo of understanding on (Philadelphia) passage on the Egyptian frontiers have been completed and that the memo was expected to be signed next week.

Al-Ahram's editor also learnt that Egypt would maintain full control over frontiers with the participation of the Palestinians. Egypt suggested the participation of a third party which is expected to be the multinational force and observers in Sinai (MFO).

The Egyptian security delegation had completed discussions on all issues associated with the security agreement during its latest visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

In these discussions, the Egyptian delegation exerted much political efforts for narrowing the gap between the Authority and the factions in line with the Cairo Agreement.

The talks of the Egyptian delegation managed to narrow the gap between Palestinian factions that all were now unanimous on the need for cooperation to make the political process a success mainly detente between the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian factions in maintaining security following withdrawal, a development which will have much implications on the future of the peace process and the international community confidence in the Palestinian Authority.