Schroeder, Mubarak Discuss Mideast Conflict

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder met Tuesday with visiting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to discuss Middle East conflict.

Mubarak, on a two-day working visit here, called on Germany and the European Union (EU) to play a more active role in mediating Mideast conflict.

"We would naturally welcome it if Chancellor Schroeder could play a mediating role (in Mideast)," Mubarak said to reporters.

"I think Germany should exert more influence on the EU so that it could do more for the stability in the region and to find a just solution (to the conflict)," he said, adding that Germany is a very important nation with "a strong voice" in Europe.

Pointing out Europe's geographic proximity to the Middle East, the visiting president stressed: "something must be done."

Along with other EU members, Germany is now seeking a more bigger EU role in mediating Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Leaders of EU countries will discuss at their June summit in Sweden how to strengthen its influence in Mideast, according to reports.

"The Federal Government, along with its EU partners, will continue to do their utmost so that the violence (in Mideast) de- escalates and dialogues begin," a spokeswoman for the government said.

Mubarak also held talks with Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer on Mideast conflict.

The two leaders made clear that "the escalation of violence must be ended," a spokeswoman for the foreign ministry said.

They agreed that Israelis and Palestinians must be brought back to peace process, she added.

Before setting for Germany, Mubarak restated in a television station that Israel should give up its "policy of aggression" and stop "besieging Palestinian areas."

"Abandoning all forms of violence, terrorism and intimidation of others' security is the optimal way to bring about the aspired security and stability and curb all aspects of violence and extremism," Mubarak said.

The Mideast peace process has been stalled since Israeli violation of Islamic holy sites last September triggered the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian bloody clashes, which have so far left more than 470 people dead, most of them Palestinians.






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