Peres tells Mubarak outposts will be evacuated
After meeting Israeli president in Cairo, Egyptian leader calls for halt to settlement construction in order to allow establishment of Palestinian state. He also says negotiations between Israelis, Palestinians must be renewed from point at which they were left off
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak reiterated his position on the issue of settlement building in a meeting he held Sunday in Cairo with President Shimon Peres. Mubarak said, "First of all, building in the settlements on occupied territory must be stopped, including in east Jerusalem."
Peres said that "the Israeli government has already announced that it will not build new settlements, the moment the negotiations are launched, and that it will evacuate illegal outposts."
In a joint press conference with Peres following their meeting, the Egyptian president added that there is currently an opportunity to reach peace: "This opportunity must not be wasted, and brave steps must be taken in order to realize it."
Mubarak expressed his concern during the meeting that negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians have reached a standstill with no progress made since May. "I clarified to the president that Israel must consent to the commitments of a peace process and its resolutions," said Mubarak.
The Egyptian president again called upon Israel to renew negotiations from the point at which they were left off and to take action to halt settlement building in order to allow for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
"Egypt is opposed to the possibility of the establishment of a Palestinian state in temporary borders. A permanent and just agreement must be reached that will be carried out within a clear and agreed-upon time frame," he said.
'Israel strives for oc-existence'
President Peres said that Israel seeks a solution that will ensure the safety of both sides and will end the protracted conflict. He noted that Israel strives for co-existence with the Palestinians.
"There is an opportunity here for a good life. We hope to reach a permanent solution that will be to the satisfaction of both sides. It is true that there are gaps on a number of different issues, but peace can be achieved," said Peres.
Peres said that Netanyahu himself announced that he is committed to peace and supports a peace agreement. "We do not want the Palestinians' suffering to continue," clarified Peres, who expressed his appreciation for the Egyptian president and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
On Saturday, Mubarak accused Israel of torpedoing peace efforts.
"I will use words that are not open to interpretation; Israel is destroying the opportunity for peace, with its plans to populate Jerusalem with Jews and excavate around the al-Aqsa mosque," he said.
"I say to the Israeli leadership – you are placing new obstacles in the way of peace, calling to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, and putting off the issue of Jerusalem by offering negotiations for a temporary Palestinian state.
"I call on the leaders of Israel: Stop your actions in the West Bank and remove the blockade on the (Gaza) Strip. Enough with your stubbornness and manipulations – accept the calls for peace."
