Suleiman: Truce only waiting for Barak's say-so
MK Yossi Beilin meets with Egyptian intelligence chief in Sharm el-Sheik, who says ceasefire between Israel, Palestinian factions could go into effect tomorrow if only Israel's defense minister agreed. Netanyahu meets with Mubarak, says Hamas mutual enemy of both nations
"If I get the green light from (Defense Minister) Ehud Barak, I could set the hour for the ceasefire to go into effect tomorrow in my meetings with Hamas in Cairo," Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman told MK Yossi Beilin on Sunday.
The two met in Sharm el-Sheikh, where Beilin is attending the World Economic Forum.
Suleiman's key message, delivered ahead of Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Barak's meetings with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, was that the ball is now in Israel's court.
"Were Israel to agree to the list of prisoners Hamas wants to see free, we would include the release of Gilad Shalit in the ceasefire agreement. But since Israel has rejected most of the names, it will be necessary to negotiate," said Suleiman.
A Hamas official told Ynet on Sunday Israel has so far agreed to the release of 71 Palestinian prisoners convicted of serious crimes ('with blood on their hands') as part of the Shalit deal.
Those dozens of prisoners are included in the list of 300 such high-profile prisoners Hamas has demanded Israel free. A senior State official in Jerusalem declined to comment on the claim, saying Israel does not discuss negotiation specifics.
Beilin himself addressed the ongoing talks, saying after his meeting with Suleiman that "the true test of the ceasefire will be Hamas' ability to prevent other organizations from attacking Israel."
Netanyahu: Hamas an enemy to Egypt
Meanwhile on Sunday evening, Opposition Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu concluded his meeting with Mubarak. Netanyahu told the president he believes Hamas is a mutual enemy of both Israel and Egypt, and that Egypt should work towards ending the smuggling across its border into Gaza.
"Israel will have no choice but to overthrow Hamas' rule," said Netanyahu, adding that the Iranian threat is holding up any progress in the region. Netanyahu's office said Mubarak told the Likud chairman that it was vital to combat extremism in all its forms.
Roni Sofer contributed to this report
