CAIRO, 29 May 2006 — Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is to launch a drive to bring Israeli and Palestinian leaders back to the negotiating table next weekend by hosting a first summit with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Officials in Mubarak’s and Olmert’s offices said the two leaders would meet at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh on Sunday, June 4, for their first talks since the Israeli premier won a March 28 general election.“President Mubarak will hold important talks with the Israeli prime minister next week in the first meeting between them after (Olmert) won the elections and the formation of his government,” said Egyptian presidential spokesman Suleiman Awad without giving a specific date for the meeting.
“The talks will focus on the situation on the Palestinian and Israeli fronts and ways in which to push forward the peace efforts in preparation for a three-way summit to be attended by President Mahmoud Abbas,” Awad said. A spokesman in the Israeli prime minister’s office confirmed that “Olmert will meet President Mubarak at Sharm El-Sheikh next Sunday.”
Abbas’ chief negotiator Saeb Erakat said that the Palestinians were grateful for the efforts of Mubarak. “We do appreciate all the efforts from the Egyptians,” he said.
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