Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has warned that the current situation in the Middle East may weaken Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and moderate forces but strengthen extremists.
"We have repeatedly advised Israel about the dangers of excessive use of force, especially because force will not resolve the situation," Mubarak said in an interview with Kuwait's daily Al-Siyassah due to be published Saturday.
"The current situation may lead to weakening Yasser Arafat and moderate forces, and give the opportunity to extremists. Israelis must correct its concept about the basis and principles governing the peace process," he said.
Mubarak said the absence of Arafat will be catastrophic for the region and will signal the end of Palestinian moderation, according to the interview.
"Arafat's absence will be catastrophic. We have no doubt that his absence would mean the absence of Palestinian moderation, and may lead us to the tunnels of the unknown," Mubarak said.
Cairo has recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv to protest the Israeli oppression against Palestinians and the excessive use of force.
"The recall of our ambassador from Tel Aviv came after things have reached its limits and the situation has become unbearable," Mubarak said in the interview.
"It's a clear message to Israel that the use of oppression against Palestinians, and the arrogance of power have serious negative consequences on the region," he added.
Egypt's ambassador Mohammed Bassiouni was recalled Tuesday following Israel's massive bombardment of Gaza on Monday and Foreign Minister Amr Mussa demanded Israel abandon its "policy of intimidation and terrorism."
Israel unleashed the bombardment after two people died and nine were hurt, including children, aboard a Jewish settler school bus in Gaza.
Some 275 people, the vast majority of them Palestinian, have died since turmoil broke out in the Palestinian territories on September 28 after a visit by Israel's hardline opposition leader to a disputed holy site in east Jerusalem.
Egypt was the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel and establish full diplomatic relations with the Jewish state.
Meanwhile, Ehud Barak's office said the Prime Minister is sending top security advisor Danny Yatom to Egypt Sunday for talks with Mubarak to discuss their relations and the Israeli-Palestinian crisis.
Mubarak put the blame on the continued Israeli pressure and their non-compliance with peace accords for the outbreak of violence in the occupied territories.
"Pressures resulting from the occupation, and Israel's non-compliance of accords, push Palestinians to desperation which eventually pushes them to explosion," the Egyptian president said -- KUWAIT CITY (AFP)
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