By Xinhua
Cairo : Egypt echoed a Palestinian demand for tackling all aspects of a Mideast political settlement at an international conference due to be held in November upon a call by U.S. President George W. Bush, the Egyptian official MENA news agency reported on Monday.
“Egypt supports a suggestion by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on reaching a general agreement on all issues due to be discussed on the conference’s agenda so as to be able to discuss them in detail while in Washington,” Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit was quoted as saying.
Asked about Egypt’s diplomatic efforts before the convention of the international conference, Abul Gheit said Egypt is exerting much efforts on the international level and the regional one with a view to ensuring a wide-range participation in the conference to render it success.
Abul Gheit said Egypt’s efforts will cover the United States and the International Quartet, pointing out that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will embark on a visit to the region mid September.
As for its regional efforts, Egypt is in contact with all the Palestinian parties, the Egyptian minister noted, while dismissing reports on possible return of Egyptian security delegation to Gazaat the time being as groundless.
On July 16, Bush proposed that an international conference would be held this fall, which would include Israel, the Palestinians and some neighboring Arab states, to help resume the stalled Middle East peace talks.
Abbas has expressed his hope that the U.S.-sponsored meeting could help pushing the frozen negotiations on final status settlement, including the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel in line with Bush’s vision.