Peres meets Mubarak: We will not wait long to see the peace process resumed

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met yesterday with former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, who arrived in Cairo earlier in the day. Following his meeting with the Mubarak, Peres said he had discussed with President opportunities for resuming the Middle East peace process.

Emerging from the meeting Peres said the new Israeli government will give priority to the resumption of peace process. He said no party in the Middle East wants a new war as five wars between the Arabs and Israel are enough. Peres also believed that peace chances are now better than before.

In a statement, Peres added that the new government of Barak is "but a government of peace" saying "Barak respects his words and honors his pledges," and adding "We will not wait long to see the peace process resumed."

Peres expressed his conviction that peace is no longer impossible after the electoral defeat of the Likud government of Benjamin Netanyahu. He indicated that the his previous Labor government was able to eliminate great difficulties and disputes that used to be viewed as impossible. Peres said that the gaps between the two sides are "still wide" on peace negotiations as "it is not only a matter of kilometers as issues of security, settlements and freedom of movement lie ahead," he said.

On convening a Geneva Convention conference to review the special treaty on human rights in the occupied territories, Peres said that Israel will not take part in this conference.