Mubarak, Arafat Discuss Palestinian-Israeli Peace TalksEgyptian President Hosni Mubarak held talks on Saturday with visiting Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on the latest developments of the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.Details of the meeting were not immediately available. But Palestinian Ambassador in Cairo Zohdi al Qedra has said that Arafat would brief Mubarak on the negotiations launched in Stockholm, Sweden, between the Palestinians and Israel. The Palestinians and Israel have been holding back-channel talks in the Swedish capital in a bid to forge a framework for a final peace deal after decades of conflict. The existence of the parallel channel was revealed May 14, the day after the two sides missed a second deadline for the framework agreement. Al Qedra said Arafat would also keep Mubarak posted on the present situation in the Palestinian territories in the light of recurring Israeli attacks on the Palestinians. Arafat's visit came as part of the constant coordination and consultations between the two leaders in an effort to seek ways to push forward the peace process, he added. Arafat arrived in Cairo Friday night for a two-day visit following a European trip. He frequently visits Egypt to discuss the Mideast peace negotiations with Mubarak, who plays a key role in mediating between the Arabs and Israelis in their talks. |
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