Egypt: We'll talk to Israel, but not to Lieberman
Tensions between Cairo, Jerusalem seem far from abating as top Egyptian minister warns his country will not welcome Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman so long as he retains his current positions
The hatchet is far from burial between Egypt and Israel's new Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman.
In an interview with Russian television on Wednesday Egyptian Foreign Minister, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, warned that his country would not welcome Lieberman so long as his divisive positions remained unchanged.
"When a man speaks he must be aware that the words traveling from his brain to his tongue will have
consequences," said Aboul Gheit, speaking from Cairo.
"Therefore, we will work with the government of Israel but not through the Israeli foreign minister. I do not imagine that he will set foot on Egyptian soil so long as his positions, which we have seen before, remain as they are."
Earlier this month Aboul Gheit said that he would not shake Lieberman's hand because the latter had "insulted" Egypt.
The Egyptian FM's comments come several weeks after Israel dispatched National Security Council, Uzi Arad, and Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon to try and prevent a diplomatic crisis with Egypt in the event that Lieberman was indeed appointed to the office of foreign minister.
Mubarak 'can go to hell'
The foreign minister is known for his forceful stance in regards to the Egyptian regime.
Prior to the elections he said that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak could "go to hell" if he remained unwilling to visit Israel.
He then further fanned the diplomatic flames by comparing the subsequent apologetic behavior of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Shimon Peres for his comments to that of "a battered wife."
Aboul Gheit also commented on the recent arrest of a Hizbullah cell in the Sinai. "This is a dangerous
issue. We will not allow anyone to operate on Egyptian soil without authorization. Egypt is not a small country, and it is fully capable of controlling its territory. We will not allow any foreign entity, regional or Arab, to threaten our land."
The Egyptian minister said Iran's involvement in the activation of terror cells in Egypt was "a much bigger issue than Hizbullah."
