Egypt denies talks with Israel to export natural gas

Egyptian Minister of Petroleum Hamdi El-Banbi denied that there are any negotiations with Israel with either the Egyptian electricity and petroleum departments on buying natural gas.

This denial comes in reply to the statements of Israeli Foreign Minsiter Ariel Sharon about the beginning of talks to import natural gas from Egypt.

El-Banbi also stated that international petroleum companies in Egypt such as Amoco and Agib sought several years ago to guarantee the obtaining of future markets to export their share of natural gas after fulfilling local market demands.

He said that these companies have tried before to communicate with the governments of neighboring countries such as Palestine, Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel to discuss gas exportation, hence all countries agreed except Israel after Sharon's refusal. A strange matter that he is currently approving, El-Banbi said.