Mubarak, Arafat meet in Paris

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met yesterday in Paris with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to discuss the Middle East peace process.

Arafat also met with French President Jacques Chirac.

"We thank President Mubarak for all what he offers not only for the Palestinian people but for the Arab and Islamic nations and the whole world," Arafat said.

In statements following his meeting with Mubarak at his residence in Paris Arafat praised Egypt's pivotal role in supporting the Palestinian cause. He hailed as "Fundamental" to the Middle East peace process the Egyptian role.

The meeting with Mubarak gave a boost for pursuing the hard and long path "Especially that we have initiated today (Monday) the final status negotiations with the Israeli side", said Arafat.

He underlined that "The transitional stage talks have not been concluded yet".

Commenting on the three blasts which rammed Netanya, North of Tel Aviv, on Sunday, President Arafat quoted Israeli newspaper as indicating that Israeli authorities released the Palestinians who were detained in the wake of the explosions.

Discussing peace talks with Israel, Arafat said, "The transitional stage talks have not been concluded yet."

He added, in response to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak's statement that UN Security Council resolution 242 does not apply to the Palestinian territories, "Did Barak forget that he signed Sharm E1 Sheikh agreement in line with resolution 242?"

Commenting on Barak's predecessors' relations to UN Security Council resolution 242, Arafat said, "Peres, Shamir and Rabin all went to Madrid in accordance with the implementation of resolution 242."