Egypt envoy to US: Peace in our interest

WASHINGTON – Egypt is trying to allay Israeli concerns regarding the peace treaty between the two neighbors. After the Egyptian army, which currently rules the country, stressed that it was committed to observing international treaties, the Egyptian ambassador to Washington said he believes the peace accord with Israel would stand because it benefited Cairo.

Sameh Shoukry told ABC's "This Week" anchor Christiane Amanpour on Sunday that the Israeli peace treaty has been beneficial to his country for 30 years and he expected it to remain in place.

"We have derived a peace dividend from the treaty," Shoukry said. "We've been able to establish security and stability in the region. And I believe it is a main element in terms of our foreign policy."

Shoukry told ABC that Egypt's interests dictated its ties to the United States and that Washington could count on Cairo's support in the region.

"These issues are driven by mutual interest, by Egyptian interests, and interest remains a close association to the United States," he said.

Shoukry added that "The (Military) Council has decided to maintain the current government of Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq, to be changed at a later stage."

The government, Shoukry said, would focus on restoring security, and restructuring the police force and economic welfare. "That doesn't preclude that the reform process would not go ahead as well," he said.

Shoukry also told ABC that Egypt's emergency law would be lifted, as the military had communicated, "as soon as the current conditions of protest have been terminated."

Reuters contributed to the report

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