Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said Wednesday that US President George W. Bush would fulfill his promise to support the establishment of a Palestinian state, adding that the pro-Israel lobby would not influence him as it had former president Bill Clinton, the daily Al Akhbar reported.
“The fact that Israel has started the implementation of Mitchell [Commission] recommendations means that the negotiation process has begun. The most important thing is that Israel lifts its seige of the Palestinian people and that the old city of [occupied] Jerusalem be under the Palestinian control,” Mubarak told Makram Mohammed Ahmed, editor in chief of the Cairo-based Al Musawwar magazine.
“Egypt is free of terrorist groups thanks to the efforts of the security agencies and Egyptian people in the war against terrorism,” said the president, adding that all Egyptianbs were united to fight the problem.
The president also hailed clerics, intellectuals and media men for their courageous efforts in this respect, calling the eradication of terrorism the road to stability and development.
Responding to a question regarding any possible cabinet shakeup, the president said, “We have no plans now for a cabinet reshuffle and what you are hearing are just rumors.”
The Egyptian government on Wednesday welcomed Bush's support for the establishment of a Palestinian state, reported the official Kuwaiti news agency (KUNA).
The agency also reported that Information Minister Safwat Al Sharif told newsmen after a cabinet meeting that Egypt condemned the assassination policy adopted by Israel in the occupied Arab territories – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
