Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said Thursday that Egypt was a stalwart of peace and development, indicating that Cairo has never been belligerent.
"Skeptics of Egypt's peace with Israel, such as [Avigdor] Lieberman and others, must understand that we don't build bridges and railways to be struck in wars," he told reporters at the opening ceremony of Al Fardan bridge, quoted by Egyptian Gazette.
He added that Egypt's attention for development was the best proof that it wasn't keen on wars, as long as its safety and territories were not threatened.
When asked if the newly-opened railway could be part of a project to revive the Orient Express line, Mubarak said he was always optimistic about the fusion of peace into development. He said the line could be extended to el-Arish and Rafah. "When peace between Israel and its neighbors had been achieved, the line can be extended all the way to Turkey. This is a proof that Egypt is a campaigner for peace and not the opposite," he said.
Egypt has been called “an enemy state” by Israeli hawkish MKs and members of Cabinet.
Egypt continued with upgrading and building up its military arsenal, but the president same time seized every opportunity to remind Israel that a peaceful solution with the Palestinians is the only guarantee for regional stability and its own security – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
