Egyptian information minister: Israel responsible for Mideast peace process deterioration

Israel is responsible for the deterioration in the Middle East peace process, Egyptian Information Minister Safwat El-Sherif said in a statement to Voice Of Palestinian radio which aired yesterday, adding that just and permanent peace wouldn't be achieved unless the Palestinians obtain their rights.

El-Sherif said the Palestinian issue is the essential issue on the levels of the Arab - Israeli struggle and the peace process.

El-Sherif confirmed Egyptian support for Palestinian rights and said that Egypt is willing to hold an Arab summit on the condition that the summit is well-prepared, which guarantees reaching obvious, correct and accurate decisions.

The information minister laid the responsibility of the peace process deterioration on Israel and invited the U.S., as it is the main sponsor of the peace process, to declare its initiative for supporting this track and activating it.