Olmert-Suleiman meeting: No breakthrough on Shalit
Prime Minister Olmert meets with Egyptian Intelligence Chief Suleiman Wednesday, two discuss kidnapped soldier, weapon smuggling
Still, Olmert summed saying that the meeting was positive and very encouraging. On Thursday Olmert is scheduled to meet with the American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Olmert met with Suleiman in his office in Jerusalem during Suleiman's visit for political and security talks in Israel. Earlier, Suleiman met with Defense Minister Amir Peretz, Minister for Strategic Affairs Avigdor Lieberman, and National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer.
Suleiman arrived in Israel as part of an Egyptian effort to mediate and push for progress in the political processes between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
During the meeting Olmert and Suleiman extensively discussed the continuing smuggling of weapons over the Philedelphi route and the Egyptian border, the Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire, forming a Palestinian national unity government, and the release of Gilad Shalit.
The issue of smuggling of weapons and explosives was discussed. Israel has demanded many times in the past that Egypt strengthen their punishment of smugglers who use explosives against Israeli towns and the IDF.
'Egypt can do more'
According to recent reports, Egypt has been making a certain effort to suppress the smuggling, but senior defense official in Israel say Egypt could have done much more.
Details on their discussion of Gilad Shalit's release were not allowed to be published, in light of the sensitivity of the subject. Nonetheless, it is no secret that the Egyptians and especially Suleiman are deeply involved in attempts to reach a mutual agreement on releasing captives.
On this issue, Suleiman met Saturday with Hamas' Khaled Mashaal, who has the power to approve a deal and release Shalit. Based on the few reports available, Suleiman's talks did not lead to any breakthrough regarding the kidnapped soldier.
During the day, Suleiman met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategic affairs Avigdor Lieberman. This was the first meeting between the two, and reports from Lieberman's office say it went very well. Earlier, Lieberman met with the American mediator Elliot Abraham.
