Egypt is not considering sending back its ambassador to Tel Aviv because of the Jewish state’s continued aggression against the Palestinians, officials were quoted as saying by the Iranian News Agency (IRNA).
“It was ruled out that Mohammad Bassyouni, Egypt's ambassador to Tel Aviv, will return to his post now,” an official said.
Cairo recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv in December in protest against Israel’s aggression against the Palestinian people during their Intifada.
Meanwhile, the London-based Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reported Wednesday that Bassyouni and head of the intelligence department, Omar Sulaiman, are candidates for the post of foreign minister following Egypt’s decision to nominate Amr Moussa as Arab League chief.
Both candidates are former soldiers in Egypt’s army.
“Should this be true, it will be the first time that a military official serves the post of foreign minister in 17 years,” said the paper.
Lieutenant General Kamal Hassan was Egypt’s foreign minister between 1980-1984.
Jordan, the other Arab country to have signed a peace treaty with Israel, has since October suspended the return of its envoy to Tel Aviv. The decision was also taken on grounds of Israeli practices against the Palestinians – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
