Clinton aide in Cairo in attempt to defuse Israel-Egypt tensions
Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman slated to meet senior Egyptian officials; Quartet urges Egypt to increase security hold in Sinai
The diplomatic row erupted after five Egyptian soldiers were killed during clashes between the IDF and terrorists who perpetrated the terrorist attacks near Eilat on Thursday. Feltman is slated to meet senior Egyptian officials after he was mainly preoccupied with the crisis in Libya as of late.
More on the Israel-Egypt diplomatic row:
- Cairo: Israeli flags torched outside embassy Op-ed: Let IDF into Sinai
- Op-ed: New rules of the game in South
Washington and Jerusalem are concerned about the rise of anti-Israel sentiment in post-revolution Egypt, which was demonstrated on Friday when a young Egyptian tore down the Israeli flag from the embassy building in Cairo to the cheers of thousands of Egyptians.
The Quartet, meanwhile, has issued a late condemnation to the terrorist attacks near Eilat. The statement included a demand from Egypt to increase its security hold in the Sinai Peninsula.
"The Quartet is concerned about the security situation in Sinai. The commitment of the Egyptian government to deal with the security situation in Sinai is important. The Quartet urges the Egyptian government to find a permanent solution to the issue of security in Sinai," the statement read.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also sent his special Middle East Envoy Robert Serry to Cairo. Serry, who was also involved in the indirect cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas, met Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammad Kamal and head of Egyptian intelligence Murad Muafi. The UN said it was "worried about the violent escalation in Gaza and southern Israel."
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