Mubarak Treachery More Resound with Israel

'Weapons from Egypt cross Israel to shore up embattled Fatah'

December 29, 2006

Occupied Jerusalem: Egypt has sent a large shipment of weapons through Israeli territory to shore up forces loyal to the embattled Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli security officials said yesterday - an extraordinary show of support by both countries for his efforts to renew peacemaking with Israel.

Israel approved the transfer of 2,000 automatic rifles, 20,000 ammunition clips and 2 million bullets on Wednesday, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the shipment had not been officially confirmed by Israel, the Palestinians or Egypt.

Abbas, locked in a power struggle with anti-Israel Hamas fighters, has long sought to beef up the arsenal available to security services under his control.

The Haaretz said Olmert and Abbas settled the details of the shipment at their first summit, held in occupied Jerusalem on Saturday.

At midday yesterday, witnesses saw a truck belonging to the pro-Fatah National Security force carrying what appeared to be sealed boxes of weapons.

When the truck attempted to make a quick detour, one box fell, scattering a pile of automatic guns on the road, the witnesses said. Security men in the truck quickly recollected the weapons.