Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak, Defense Minister Hussein Tantawi and Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman met on Tuesday with Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz in Cairo.
During the talks, in which the leaders discussed the future of the Palestinian Authority and the recent Hamas victory in Palestinian parliamentary elections, Mofaz referred to Hamas as the "axis of evil."
"Through Hamas, the axis of evil, which begins with Iran and passes through Syria and Hizbullah, will continue to other countries where there are radical organizations. If the terms set by Israel are not realized, we may find ourselves facing a Hamas authority, and we shall not agree to such a situation," he said.
Mofaz reiterated to Egypt that Israel will have no dialogue with Hamas until it recognizes Israel, renounces terror and accepts the internationally devised roadmap for peace.
The new Hamas-led Palestinian Legislative Council is set to be sworn in Saturday, according to UPI.
Many in Israel and the west, who consider Hamas a "terrorist" organization," fear the repercussions of Hamas leading various Palestinian security services.
Mofaz added, “I did not come here to receive messages from Hamas, but to present Israel’s position and hear from the Egyptians how they plan on influencing the events in the PA.”
“President Mubarak told me that he and his associates told Hamas that it must accept the terms set by Israel and added that he believes the pressure would bear fruit soon and that Hamas would change; but he didn’t promise it would happen all at once.”
Hamas leaders have reportedly been hoping to form a unity government with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party.
However, Fatah has thus far inststed that until Hamas change its political stand, it will remain in the opposition.
© 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
