Mauritania said Wednesday it remained committed to the Middle East peace process, saying it had been "a strategic choice for all the parties".
Communications Minister Shiekh Ould Ely was speaking after Egypt, one of only two other Arab countries that has diplomatic ties with Israel and a fellow Arab League member, said it was scaling down relations with Israel except for specific diplomatic channels which served the Palestinian cause.
Speaking at the end of a government meeting, the minister stated that Mauritania remained "attached to the peace process, which was a strategic choice for all the parties," according to AFP.
"The Arabs have not declared war on Israel, the Arab borders have not been opened for military action against Israel and in these conditions we continue to give to the Palestinians the help necessary within a legal framework following procedures dictated by the general interest," he said.
The Mauritanian minister's comments came after several people were slightly wounded during pro-Palestinian demonstrations involving several hundred people in the Mauritanian capital city of Nouakchott.
Jordan is the only other Arab country to have diplomatic relations with Israel. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
