Arab League reps to visit Israel
After Cairo meeting between Foreign Minister Tzipi Linvi, her Egyptian, Jordanian counterparts representing the Arab League, FMs agree to meet again Israel to discuss Saudi peace plan
Official Arab League representatives will be arriving in Israel for the first time to discuss the Saudi peace initiative, which was approved in the Riyadh summit in March.
In Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni's meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo on Thursday, it was agreed that the Jordanian and Egyptian foreign ministers would be representing the Arab League.
After her meeting with the Egyptian president, Livni met her counterparts, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Jordanian Foreign Minister Abd al-Ilah al-Khatib, to discuss the peace plan.
"The next meeting is not just an important meeting, but has historical significance," said Livni in a press conference before meeting with the foreign ministers, "after today's preliminary meeting, they will arrive in Israel as part of the process between Israel and the Arab League."
Livni and Mubarak in Cairo meeting (Photo: AFP)
The two foreign ministers were authorized by the Arab League in the March 28 summit, to discuss the peace plan with Israel. Livni is expected to present Israel's reservations regarding certain clauses in the plan, including dividing Jerusalem, withdrawing to the 1967 borders and the Palestinians refugees' right of return.
Livni pointed out that this meeting would be a historical moment, since it would be the first time Arab League representatives visit Israel.
In her meeting with President Mubarak, Livni made it clear that "Israel finds the current situation in the Gaza Strip unacceptable," referring to the deteriorating situation in the Strip, including Hamas' strengthening and the increased rocket attacks on Israel.
During the two-hour-long meeting, Livni stressed the importance of pan-Arab support in order to advance the process between Israel and the Palestinians.
Livni also expressed Israel's wish to strengthen ties with Egypt, by increasing Egyptian officials' visits to Israel.
