Mubarak for firm US stand towards Israel

President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt has demanded that the US administration maintain a firm stand to press on Israel to abide by the Peace process principles. In press statements he made on Thursday, President Mubarak said the recent US stand should be reflected in a genuine action to safeguard the peace process and restart it on the right track.

President Mubarak said he holds the Israeli government responsible for the grave stalemate the peace process currently witnesses, voicing deep concern over Israeli Prime Minister Banjamin Netanyahu's government's policies.

Concerning the Iraqi crisis, President Mubarak stressed the need to ease the suffering of the Iraqi people and to preserve Iraq's territorial integrity, noting Egypt 's rejection the use of force and the need to settle the crisis by peaceful means.