Mubarak greets Peres at airport
Photo: Amos Ben Gershom, GPO
Mubarak says Cairo not responsible for failed Shalit talks
Egyptian president meets with Israeli counterpart in Sharm el-Sheik, tells him 'Israel is well aware of our actions for the kidnapped soldier's release.' Peres says peace is attainable, 'it would be a mistake to miss out on opportunity'
SHARM EL-SHEIK – Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said Thursday that his country was not responsible for the fact that kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit has yet to be released, and blamed the parties concerned for the failed negotiations.
He added that "the Israeli side is well aware of Egypt's
work for Shalit's release," and promised that despite the difficulties, his country would continue to act as mediator in a bid to reach a prisoner exchange deal.
"We did not fail. If there has been a failure, it belongs to the other side," Mubarak said during a press conference in Sharm el-Sheik following his meeting with President Shimon Peres.
Captive Soldier
Islamist group says Egypt cannot play mediation role in prisoner exchange talks as long as it holds one of its senior operatives. 'We put Shalit file in the fridge and it will remain frozen unless Ayman Nofal is freed,' Hamas leader tells Gaza rally
The Egyptian president went on to criticize Israel for its ongoing settlement construction, saying that "the settlement activity in the West Bank, the Old City and the al-Aqsa Mosque has a negative effect on our relations and on the efforts to advance the peace process."
During the press conference, Mubarak said that he and Peres had discussed ways to advance the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and stabilize Gaza while lifting the siege imposed on the Strip's residents.
"Egypt wants the new Israeli government to continue the negotiations with the Palestinians, which will lead to the establishment of a state living alongside Israel in peace and security," Mubarak said.
"The Middle East suffers from various and multiple crises and cannot tolerate any more. One-sided processes will only increase this. Now is the time for peace, stability and development in the region."
The Egyptian president invited prime minister-designate Tzipi Livni to meet with him.
Peres: Why are we being fired on?
The Israeli president was asked by an Egyptian reporter to address the settlement construction.
"We have a problem," Peres responded firmly. "We evacuated 30 settlements in Gaza, and we find it hard to understand why, after we forcibly evacuated settlements, Hamas comes and fires at residents. How can this be explained to Israel's residents?"
The president declared, however, that "our government promised to evacuate settlements in the West Bank and has recently dismantled five of them. I believe the government will continue to keep its word. We sincerely want to reach a complete understanding and create good neighborly relations of trust between the countries."
Peres defined his conversation with Mubarak as a good and thorough talk, saying that there was no other person who has contributed more to the advancement of peace in the Middle East more than the Egyptian president.
"The key for advancing peace is largely in his hands – more than in any other person's hands," he said.
The president went on to address to the Arab peace initiative, saying Israel welcomed the plan. "Peace has never been more possible than it is now. It would be a mistake to miss out on this opportunity," he said.
Asked about the clashes between Jews and Arabs in the northern city of Akko, Peres said, "I met with our two chief rabbis and with the leader of the Arab community in Akko. I can say clearly that this was initiated by a number of hot-tempered people, and fortunately we stopped it on time. Both the Arab and the Israeli sides don’t want this."
Gilad Shalit was kidnapped into the Gaza Strip 851 days ago.
