Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s political advisor, Osama Al Baz, will meet Thursday in Washington with Secretary of State Collin Powell to discuss ways of halting the conflict in the occupied Palestinian territories, reported Al Ahram daily.
Baz, heading a high-ranking delegation, was dispatched by Mubarak to urge the US to play a greater role in the region and stop Israel’s ongoing attacks on the Palestinians.
The veteran advisor told the paper Wednesday that the current consultations between Egypt and the US were focused on the importance of immediately intensifying efforts to end the worsening conflict which has claimed the lives of hundreds of Palestinians resisting the Israeli occupation.
“This situation is harming all parts in the region,” he said.
In an interview published Wednesday, Haaretz newspaper quoted Baz as saying that Egypt would not close its embassy in Tel Aviv despite the escalating violence.
"We will not close the embassy unless this will benefit the Arabs. Cutting off the means of communication between us and Israel would be a mistake," he told the Arabic-language Al Sharq Al Awsat.
Egypt recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv in November, saying Israel was using excessive force, but the embassy remains open – Albawaba.com
