Lieberman. Persona non-grata?
Photo: AP
A senior Palestinian official told Ynet Sunday that the Egyptian intelligence chief's willingness to meet with Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman was damaging efforts to isolate the new minister.
"The meeting between Omar Suleiman and Foreign Minister Lieberman is unnecessary redundant, and harms efforts to shun Lieberman on a national and international level," the official said.
Egypt's Stance
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 meeting "is a reward for Lieberman while he should be condemned and punished, not rewarded," the official added.
He said the Palestinians were hopeful that the meeting would be canceled. "We need to continue to work towards isolating Lieberman for his beliefs and opinions," the official explained.
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."