Israel will gain nothing from demanding a new Palestinian leader and continuing to occupy Palestinian territories, Egypt's president said Monday. Hosni Mubarak's warning to Israel came during a speech at a Cairo military academy marking the 50th anniversary of the coup that toppled Egypt's British-backed monarchy.
"Israel will gain nothing while hiding behind its demand to change a leadership chosen by the Palestinian people's own free will or if it lingers to occupy the land, shed the blood, destroy houses and block the roads," Mubarak said during the nationally broadcast celebrations attended by Egypt's top brass and visiting Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
According to AP, Mubarak said Israel's "policy will only result in favoring violence over the voice of moderation and will only gain the propagation of hatred and the escalation of enmity and extremism."
During his speech, Mubarak said Israel's best chance for achieving regional security and peace was to negotiate to establish an independent Palestinian state.
He said Israel should not "waste the historic chance that exists to end the (Middle East) dispute and fighting and enter a new phase where people face the challenges of development and progress." (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
