Egypt to patrol Gaza border

SHARM-EL-SHEIKH, Egypt - A contingent of 750 Egyptian border guard officers will deploy on the Philadelphi route, which runs along the Israel-Egypt border, in several months in a bid to prevent weapons smuggling. Agreement on the Gaza border deployment was reached during Thursday’s meeting between Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and President Hosni Mubarak in Sharm el-Sheikh. The troop deployment is expected to follow two more meetings – one between military officials and another one between political representatives – scheduled for later this month. Agreement was also reached on a coordination mechanism between Israeli and Egyptian military commanders in an effort to address rampant weapons smuggling. A successful Egyptian effort to curb smuggling runs could potentially lead to a complete IDF withdrawal from the Philadelphi route in the future. Earlier, an aide to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said Thursday afternoon’s meeting was “positive,” and that Egypt is interested in helping move the Israel-Palestinian peace process forward. During the meeting, the pair spoke by telephone with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. Following a press briefing, Mubarak spokesman Suleiman Awad said that, as a result of the meeting Mubarak expects a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, including the controversial Philadelphi route. He implied that Egypt would deploy armed forces in the area, and would take care of all security needs. ‘Positive Atmosphere’ The meeting lasted more than two-and-half hours. Afterwards, Mofaz met with Egyptian Defense Minister Muhammad Tantawi. Mubarak told Mofaz the meeting was intended to build on the “positive atmosphere” created at last month’s Sharm summit, and pushed for Israel to implement the agreements reached there. In particular, the pair discussed Israel’s expected transfer of West Bank cities to the Palestinian Authority, scheduled to begin Wednesday night but stalled at the last minute due to security disagreements between IDF and Palestinian officials. Mubarak’s spokesman stressed the disagreement over the West Bank cities was technical rather than fundamental. He also promised Egypt would send an ambassador to Israel “soon”. Egypt has had no official presence in Israel since recalling former Ambassador Muhammad Bassouini at the start of the al-Aqsa Intifada in September 2000. Awad added that public opinion in Egypt has changed of late, and that most people express hope about Israel-Palestinian talks. He said that if talks translate into “results on the ground”, public support for the process will continue to grow.

Egypt to patrol Gaza border

Agreement on deployment of 750 Egyptian troops reached during Mofaz-Mubarak meeting; aide describes session as “positive”