Israeli PM in Egypt for Talks on Mideast Peace Plan
VOA News
03 May 2010
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Egypt Monday to discuss with President Hosni Mubarak plans to resume Mideast peace talks later this week.
The two leaders met in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. No details were released about the 90-minute meeting. A statement from Mr. Netenyahu's office says it took place "in a positive and constructive atmosphere."
The discussions were expected to focus on preparations for the beginning of indirect U.S.-brokered peace talks with the Palestinians.
Monday's meeting comes ahead of a visit by U.S. special envoy George Mitchell, who is due to arrive in the Middle East this week. He will meet separately with Israeli and Palestinian officials with the goal of getting both sides to agree to direct negotiations.
The U.S. has called on Arab countries to help restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, saying Palestinians must have a state of their own. The Arab League has expressed support for such negotiations.
Direct negotiations stopped after Israeli forces entered the Gaza Strip in December, 2008 to stop cross-border rocket attacks by Palestinian militants.
A plan to begin U.S.-brokered indirect talks in March collapsed when Israel announced plans to build new housing for Jews in East Jerusalem, an area captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.
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