Mubarak: If talks fail, we will find other solutions

[Behind the Aegis]

SHARM EL-SHEIKH - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak told a press conference yesterday that negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians are the way to peace, adding that if no such talks are possible, "we will find other solutions."

Mubarak and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert held a joint press conference yesterday after their meeting at the Movenpick hotel in this Sinai resort town, addressing the assembled reporters in prepared written statements. Neither Olmert or Mubarak mentioned the convergence plan or unilateral withdrawal from the West Bank in their statements, and were forced to do so when reporters asked them about these issues.

In his short speech, Mubarak reiterated a number of times his call to further the peace process in the Middle East and emphasized that it was possible to reach a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians through negotiations.

Egypt's leader added that he expected that Olmert would cooperate to further the diplomatic process in the region.


more...