On Monday, Israel’s President Moshe Katsav said he was ready to travel to Saudi Arabia if he was invited to discuss the Saudi peace proposal, Israel Radio reported.
The proposal, floated recently by the Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, calls for Israel to withdraw to pre-1967 lines in return for full diplomatic relations, normalized trade, and security guarantees from Arab countries.
Alternatively, Katsav invited Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah to visit Jerusalem and present his initiative to the Israeli government.
In response to reporters' questions, President Katsav said now that Crown Prince Abdullah's plan has been published, and assuming that the Crown Prince is interested in promoting it, the most natural way to do this is by meeting the Israeli government.
President Katsav added that while he has a positive view of the Saudi Crown Prince's initiative, its details would best be discussed directly with the Israeli government.
In a separate development, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres met Monday morning with Javier Solana, the European Union's chief foreign and security chief regarding the Saudi plan. The Israeli Foreign Minister said he was interested in hearing more details.
On Sunday, Sharon asked U.S. authorities to help arrange a meeting with Saudi officials to discuss the Saudi plan.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese Al Anwar daily reported on Monday that a Saudi envoy was due to arrive in Beirut to deliver a message from Crown Prince Abdullah to Lebanese President Emile Lahoud.
Saudi State Minister Musaed al-Ayban was expected to deliver a letter at the presidential palace in Beirut. The content of the letter has not been disclosed.
During a trip to Italy last Thursday, Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri backed the Saudi initiative, which he said was "the position of the Arab world."
Hariri last met with Prince Abdullah, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, on Friday in Riyadh in a visit to discuss recent developments in the Middle East and preparations for the Arab summit due to be held in Beirut next month. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
