Mubarak in Yedioth Ahronoth interview warns of turning Gaza into 'huge prison'

In an exclusive interview granted to Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, President Hosni Mubarak asserted that Israel's pullout from Gaza marks a step that should be followed by other steps. Excerpts:

* The economic aid to the Palestinians in Gaza is the best guarantee for stability, and end of violence.

* The Palestinian citizen should not feel that he lives in prison.

* If Israel closes all checkpoints, the Palestinian citizen would feel he lives in a huge prison, and this would eventually end him up to violence.

* It is not wise that the Israelis leave their Palestinian neighbours suffer from hunger. Rather it is important to provide opportunities for jobs, education and decent life.

* The entire international community is responsible, and Israel should assist the Palestinians, as stability in Gaza is in their interest.

* Egypt did all in the realm of its possibility, and urges some Arab states to help the Palestinians as well. However, Israel should assume the largest part of assistance.

* It would be better that Israel leaves the houses in the settlements without demolishing them.

* I'd say to settlers: Go to Israel that would provide you with safer houses and you can therefore become friends to the Palestinians.

* The recent attacks on Sharm el-Sheikh do not mean that Sinai is not safe.

* No region in the world is safe a 100 percent.

* Immediately after the incident I went to Sharm el-Sheikh, and met a British tourist, and asked him whether he'd cut short his trip in Sinai, but the tourist answered that London itself suffered from blasts.

* The Egyptian authorities have adopted very strict security measures, and they provide full-scale security to any foreigner in Sinai.

* "Gaza only" will result in a lot of problems, and the politicians must be aware of every word spelled out.

* The Israelis have done a good step, but it must be followed by others.

* All problems could be solved through negotiations, understanding and good intentions.

* I hope that Sharon would succeed in realising his ideas, and I think that he has constructive ideas in the interest of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, and the entire region.

* The next step is to move to negotiations on the West Bank and the borders.

* Israel should give the chance to the Palestinians for importation through the seaport. An active economy is the best guarantee for stability.

* Only God knows who will win the coming presidential election in Egypt.