Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said yesterday that both Palestinians and
Israelis are losers without entering into direct peace negotiations, the
official news agency reported.
Mubarak sent a message of peace to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during
their talks on Wednesday and he said he would send the same message of peace to
Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert during their upcoming meeting on Jan. 4.
"Peace was not just a word but rather it was a practice on the ground and
needed joint efforts between the two negotiating parties," Mubarak was quoted as
saying.
Egypt has always supported the Palestinians especially as regards their right
to set up their independent state, he said, adding that Egypt's contacts with
all parties aim at achieving peace.
"Stability and security in the (Mideast) area hinge upon solving the
Palestinian problem and reaching a just peace," he said.
Egypt, the first Arab nation to sign a peace treaty with Israel, has been
playing a mediating role between the Palestinians and Israel.
