Egyptian FM, Arafat Discuss Palestine Issue

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, March 13, 2002

Egyptian FM, Arafat Discuss Palestine Issue

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher on Tuesday discussed with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat the worsening situation in the occupied Palestinian territories over phone.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher on Tuesday discussed with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat the worsening situation in the occupied Palestinian territories over phone.

During the phone conversation, Arafat briefed Maher on the deteriorating situation in the territories and brutal Israeli attacks against the Palestinians, Egypt's official MENA news agency said.

On his part, Maher briefed Arafat on Egypt's intensive contacts with parties concerned aimed at putting an end to the Israeli aggression against the Palestinians.

The Maher-Arafat phone talks came after the Palestinian-Israeli violence has been raging over the past few days.

At least 19 Palestinians were killed overnight as dozens of Israeli tanks, armored vehicles and bulldozers drove four kilometers deep into northern Gaza Strip, Palestinians sources said.

In addition, four Palestinians were killed and more than 10 injured earlier in the day when the Israeli army invaded the West Bank city of Ramallah and Al-Bireh town.

The Israeli incursion into Ramallah and Al-Bireh came one day after Palestinian and Israeli officials held a meeting in Jerusalem to discuss a ceasefire and ways to end heavy fighting that have left more than 100 Palestinians dead in less than two weeks.

On Monday, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak told Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that it is imperative to make a breakthrough in the moribund Mideast peace process.

During a phone talk with Sharon, Mubarak said that Israel must lift its siege on Arafat to provide a "favorable atmosphere" for the Palestinian National Authority to play an effective role in maintaining stability in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Mubarak and Sharon also stressed the need to intensify efforts to break the vicious cycle of violence and stem the violence through political and security negotiations.

So far, more than 1,400 people, most of them Palestinians, have been killed since the outbreak of the violence in September 2000.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Egyptian President Proposes Sharon-Arafat Summit

Egypt Delays Czech PM's Visit for Remarks on Arafat