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World Jewish News
Lieberman, Egypt intel chief discussed 2-state solution
25.04.2009
The Arabic-language daily Al-Hayat reported Saturday that Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Head of Egyptian Intelligence Omar Suleiman discussed the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during their meeting earlier this week.
Al-Hayat quoted an unnamed Egyptian source as saying the two leaders discussed the two-state solution as a means to bring peace, security, and stability to the Middle East.
According to the article, Lieberman appeared very level-headed and moderate during the meeting, which the London-based daily described as a "success."
The Egyptian source was also quoted as saying that Israeli officials told Suleiman that Israel needs more time to examine potential deals to secure the release of captive Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit, adding that a tahadiyeh, or period of calm with Hamas, will only be approved after Shalit's release.
Lieberman's camp issued a response to the report later Saturday, saying that "the foreign minister has expressed his views many times in a plain and clear way, and there is no reason to look for quotes reported by anonymous sources in the Arab media."
Egyptian MP calls for Lieberman to apologize for remarks about Mubarak
A leading Egyptian parliamentarian on Friday said that unless Lieberman issues an apology for his comments about Egypt and its president, he will not be welcome in Cairo, Israel Radio reported.
Mohamed Bassyouni, the former Egyptian ambassador to Israel and current head of the committee for Arab affairs in the Shura Council, made his comments in the Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm.
The possibility of Lieberman making an official visit to Cairo has been the subject of speculation in recent days. On Thursday, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said he would not accompany Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on an upcoming visit to Egypt.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit also said last week that Lieberman is not welcome in Egypt.
"His feet will not step on Egyptian soil as long as he maintains his positions," Aboul Gheit told Russia Today TV.
Lieberman sparked outrage in Egypt last year when he criticized its president, Hosni Mubarak, in a speech before the Knesset, for his refusal to make an official state visit to Israel. During his speech, Lieberman said the Egyptian leader could "go to hell."
Источник: Haaretz
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