Hosni Mubarak invites Sharon and Abbas to meet in Egypt
MIL, Feb 2, 2005. Special Correspondent
Cairo - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is scheduled to meet new Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Egypt on 8 February. It shall be the first meeting between the two leaders on behalf of their respective countries to finalize the issue once for all; it shall be after nearly four years of armed conflict. In fact, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is arranging the meeting.
This arrangement has been made in view of the renewed interest of Bush administration interest in the Middle East. In this connection, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is due to meet both Sharon and Abbas separately during his trip to Jerusalem and Ramallah. He will meet both the leaders just before their summit.
Abbas wants peace between Palestinian and Israel. He has also accepted an invitation to pay an official visit to Iran, which may irk Israel since both these countries are sworn enemies to each other.
Abbas feels that he would be able to get good counseling keeping in view the strained relations between Israel and Iran. Iran would certainly back Palestinian insurgents, what come may. If Abbas is leaned towards Iran, the summit may fail to yield desired results.
However, Condoleezza Rice may twist the situation in favor of a friendly climate. He shall brief Abbas that he should be careful from being influenced by Iran’s negative policy of favoring insurgents. Abbas has also demanded the release of thousands of Palestinian security prisoners jailed in Israel for which Israel has a soft corner on the issue in case they reach some amicable agreement. However, a secret meeting of inner Cabinet with Sharon is likely to give their final word.
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