Moussa: Israeli-Turkish maneuvers a negative development

Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa described yesterday the upcoming Turkish - Israeli military maneuvers as a negative development in the Middle East in light of the efforts exerted to revive the peace process.

Meanwhile Moussa has rejected beforehand any call directed to his country to participate in these maneuvers, saying: "We do not want such calls."

In a press conference with his Italian counterpart, Lamberto Dini, Moussa added at the conclusion of their talks in Cairo that it is important to reach a positive agreement regarding the peace process.

Dini said that his country is working within the Mediterranean context and rejects any individual arrangements that can constitute a threat to the southern Mediterranean countries.

Dini also expressed his hope that the second stage of redeployment will be a first step toward achieving peace.

Moreover, the Italian minister supported Libya's request to obtain guarantees before transferring the Libyan suspects in the Lockerbie issue in Holland for trail by a Scottish court.

Thus Italy rejected the imposition of an oil embargo on Libya because of the economic harm to which Libya could be exposed and because Italy imports 40% of Libya's petroleum exports.