Egypt FM says Arabs wary of war to free Gaza
Published today (updated) 09/10/2010 21:37
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=322251

BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) - Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit of Egypt asserted
Saturday that "radical solutions such as mobilizing armies and declaring war
are not being considered" to free Gaza of its blockade.

Israel and Egypt have maintained a military siege on the coastal enclave
since Hamas seized power in 2007.

Abu Al-Gheit was quoted by Egyptian media outlets Saturday, after the Arab
League follow-up committee ended its emergency meeting in Sirte, Libya,
saying President Mahmoud Abbas suggested alternatives the PA could use if
negotiations fail.

"We don't want to discuss these alternatives now, and we prefer to wait one
month until the follow-up committee holds another meeting to see what
developments emerge," Al-Gheit said.

He adds that seeking UN Security Council's recognition of independent
Palestinian state is not considered currently because it is preferable to
give the US opportunity to continue with its efforts to get Israel to freeze
settlement activities.

If these efforts succeed, he explained, the Palestinians will resume
negotiations and things will hopefully progress. However, if things fail to
move forward within a month, the Arab follow up committee will reconvene and
the Palestinian president will suggest alternatives, which he requested to
keep secret until then.

Answering a question about Israel freezing settlement construction for two
months only, the foreign minister said, "If that happens, let agreement be
reached on borders in two months, and so each side will have the right to do
whatever they want on their land."