By Xinhua
Moscow : Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Ali Aboul Gheit urged Tuesday for normalization on the Gaza-Egypt border and improvement of the Gaza humanitarian situation.
The two top diplomats discussed by phone the Gaza situation and asked for Palestinian unity, Itar-Tass news agency reported, citing Russian Foreign Ministry sources.
Russia appreciated “the initiatives of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Palestinian relations,” the ministry said.
The Egyptian foreign minister informed Lavrov of “the Egyptian efforts and the upcoming Cairo contacts with high-ranking Palestinian representatives,” the ministry said.
Israel imposes a strict closure on Gaza since Hamas began ruling the enclave and tightened the blockade on Jan. 17 after Gaza militants stepped up rocket attacks on southern Israel.
On Jan. 23, Hamas blew up the fences at Rafah crossing, allowing hundreds of thousands of Gazans to enter the Egyptian side to stock up foods, fuel and other basic necessities.