Egyptian PM Calls on Sharon to be "Wise"

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 20, 2001

Egyptian PM Calls on Sharon to be "Wise"

Egyptian Prime Minister Atef Obeid on Wednesday called on Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to be "wise," especially after the Palestinians have promised to be rational to give a chance to the resumption of political dialog.

"Violence breeds violence, but development and hope for a better future can achieve security for all, including the Israeli people," Obeid said, quoted by the state-run MENA news agency.

He stressed that the Palestinians need a "just and comprehensive peace" with Israel, voicing the hope that a breakthrough would be made by efforts from both sides in the current situation.

Egypt, the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, has been playing a key mediating role in resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

More than 1,100 people, mostly the Palestinians, have been killed since bloody clashes between the Palestinians and Israelis erupted in September last year.

The situation in the Middle East has been deteriorating as the Israeli cabinet has decided to cut off all contacts with Arafat and approved a series of military measures against Palestinian targets in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

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