Israel and Egypt discuss Gaza withdrawal

Egypt’s foreign minister and Israel’s prime minister today discussed the terms of a planned Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005.

The plan includes the deployment of hundreds of Egyptian troops to ensure calm along its volatile border with Gaza.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit was also expected to tell Ariel Sharon that Syria is ready to resume peace talks with Israel.

Sharon initially envisioned Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements as a unilateral act, arguing that he has no Palestinian partner.

But since Yasser Arafat’s death, Sharon has expressed willingness to co-ordinate the withdrawal with the new Palestinian leadership.

However, Egypt remains an important mediator. Egypt has offered to deploy troops along the Egypt-Gaza border and to train Palestinian security forces.

Sharon told Aboul Gheit at the beginning of the meeting in Jerusalem that his visit would “strengthen relations between the countries and help advance the peace process in the region,” Sharon’s office said in a statement.

The talks, focused on the Gaza withdrawal, come at a ”critical time for the peace and stability for the Middle East,” said Aboul Gheit.

The Egyptians and Israelis are trying to find a way to revive the internationally backed road map peace plan, Aboul Gheit said. The plan calls for an end to violence and resumption of final-status negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian.

“We are hopeful that this visit will contribute to a better environment and will push the peace process forward,” he said.

Israel is interested in Egyptian help because it fears a Gaza withdrawal will leave a security vacuum.

Aboul Gheit was also expected to deliver a message from Syria about the renewal of peace talks. Israeli officials have been cold to such overtures, saying Syria must first crack down on Palestinian militants operating from its territory.

A Hamas leader announced today that the Islamic militant group will not field a candidate in next month’s Palestinian presidential elections and said he expected Hamas supporters not to participate in the vote.

Hamas had pushed for a general election – presidential, legislative and municipal – and is sitting out the January 9 vote because the balloting was split up, a senior leader of the group, Ismail Hanieh, said.

Asked whether Hamas is urging supporters to boycott the presidential vote, Hanieh said: “Its supporters and sympathisers are aware and wise people, and they respect the attitude Hamas has chosen.”