Report: Egyptian intelligence chief delays Israel visit
Al-Hayat newspaper reports that Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman has decided to delay planned visit to Israel in wake of Jerusalem terror attack
The head of Egyptian intelligence, Omar Suleiman, has postponed a planned visit to Israel following the terror attack in Jerusalem that left eight dead on Thursday, according to a report published in Al-Hayat newspaper on Saturday.
An Egyptian source told the newspaper that the attack had harmed Egypt's attempts to craft a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. According to the source, "Egypt is concerned in wake of general developments in the region and as well as events in the Palestinian territories."
He added that senior Egyptian officials held discussions with Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders in El Arish on Thursday with regards to a possible ceasefire with Israel; however, no agreement was reached.
"The Egyptians have acted to bring about a ceasefire from the Palestinian side that would include an end to rocket fire towards Israel as a preparation for Suleiman's visit to Israel. This was supposed to help him convince the Israelis to agree to a mutual ceasefire with the Palestinians," the source explained.
The Egyptian did not rule out the option that Syria stands behind the Palestinian decision to reject a ceasefire. "All indications point to Syria wanting to divert attention towards the situation in the Gaza Strip and West Bank in order to (turn attention away) from what's going on in Lebanon. The current escalation in the Palestinian sector is in Syria's interest because a continuation of this situation will embarrass Arab leaders and cause them to retract their decision to send junior delegates to the Arab summit in Damascus."
This is not the first time that the Egyptians suspect that Syria is involved in developments in Gaza. A few weeks ago, the Egyptians blamed the Syrians for having a hand in the destruction of a large section of the Gaza Strip-Egypt border fence as an act of revenge for Egypt aiding the election of a new president in Lebanon.
The Egyptian source added that Suleiman would not be arriving to Israel in the next few days due to previous obligations, but that he would perhaps visit after the Arab summit in Damascus at the end of the month.
"He has a very busy schedule. He is expected to accompany by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in the latter's trip to Poland starting tomorrow and will be present at a summit on Islam in Dakar (Senegal)," the source added.
