El-Baz takes result of U.S. initiative into consideration in summit preparations

After his meeting with Esmat Abdul Meguid, Osama El-Baz, the Egyptian president's political advisor, confirmed yesterday that they are currently setting up an Arab summit to address specified topics, and specifying its targeted outcomes, in addition to coordinating between the U.S. initiative, and President Mubarak and President Jacques Chirac's initiative.

He said that consultations are currently being held, principally around the available alternatives for an international Arab initiative within the resolution of the American initiative for Israeli redeployment in the Palestinian territories.

El-Baz also referred to the recent visit of Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai to Egypt, saying that it did not lead to any development in a particular stance and adding that Mordechai has a viewpoint more moderate than others (in Israel).