Moussa, Arafat discuss peace

"President Hosni Mubarak's talks with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat earlier on Tuesday took up the latest developments in the Middle East peace negotiations, especially on the Palestinian track," Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said.

He added that Arafat expressed "deep concern about the ongoing Israeli settlement building in the occupied Palestinian territories, highlighting the policy's grave impact on the Mideast peacemaking bid and Palestinian-Israeli confidence building."

Meanwhile, Osama El-Baz, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's political advisor, dismissed reports that Israel may consider military action against Syria, saying, "The threats of an Israeli military action against Syria are hollow and will not shake the Arab stance."

El-Baz added, "We think it is necessary to take any opportunity to restart negotiations on the Syrian track with the principles set by the Madrid conference, and from the point where negotiations ended in February 1996." He also called for an unconditional Israeli withdrawal from occupied south Lebanon.

He also expressed Egypt's support for the Palestinians in their negotiations with Israel. "We know that the next stage of negotiations will be tough, as it will tackle very sensitive issues. Therefore, we are ready to help Palestinians and President Arafat has asked for Egyptian backing in dealing with these issues as well as Egypt's political support," said Baz.

He added, "We will not negotiate on behalf of the Palestinians and not dictate any stance on them."

He also criticized the Israeli settlements, saying, "Every Israeli should understand that the settlement activity impedes the peace process and harms the credibility of Israel."