Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak
Photo: AFP
Egypt: Peace trumps Iranian threat
Ahead of Obama's visit, Cairo stresses its commitment to two-state solution, Mideast peace
Egypt does not agree with Israel's point of view that Iran's nuclear ambitions are a higher priority for the region than Mideast peace, the presidential spokesman said Sunday.
The comments from presidential spokesman Suleiman Awwad indicate that Egypt fears Israel is attempting side step the issue of the peace process in favor of the issue of the Iranian threat.
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His remarks come just ahead of US President Barack Obama's visit to the region and a high profile speech expected to address the faltering peace process.
"With regard to attempts to say Iran is a common danger, President Mubarak's and Egypt's priority is on the Palestinian issue," he told reporters in Cairo. "This will remain the priority regardless of the numerous dangers and threats in the Middle East."
Awwad added that Egypt will keep pressing for a two-state solution for the Arab-Israeli conflict.
While Sunni Arab governments agree Shiite Iran is a potential threat they are reluctant to be seen as joining Israel against another Muslim nation.
Arabs also fear that a focus on Iran will derail efforts to commit Obama to the two-state solution.
In a much-anticipated speech in Egypt on Thursday Obama is expected to stress a commitment to strengthening US ties to the Muslim world.
On Wednesday he arrives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to meet with King Abdullah, the sponsor of the 2002 Arab peace plan which calls for exchanging of peace with Israel in return for land it seized in the 1967 Six Day War.
