Relations between Egypt, Israel normal,says ambassador

Egypt's ambassador in Tel Aviv, Muhammad Bassyouni, said that relations between Egypt and Israel are normal. In an interview with Israeli radio broadcast today Bassyouni added that President Mubarak will visit Israel if there is "in this visit what would give the peace process a push forward."

He added that a summit meeting between President Mubarak and the Israeli Premier is not the end by itself. Replying to a question Bassyouni said Egypt is not working to increase inflexibility in the Palestinian stand. Rather, Egypt is not ready to place pressure on the Palestinians to accept a withdrawal from less than the minimum amount of land they are willing to accept.