Mash'al and Abbas summoned to Cairo by Egyptian intelligence chief; Egypt praised for halting an Israeli offensive

Mash'al (L) and Abbas (R) (MaanImages)

April 27, 2007

Bethlehem - Ma'an - The head of Hamas' politburo, Khalid Mash'al, arrived in the Egyptian capital, Cairo on Thursday, coming from Damascus, Syria. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is due to arrive in the Egyptian capital on Friday. The two leaders are then expected to hold a meeting on Saturday.

Well-informed Palestinian sources said that Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman had sent an urgent letter to Abbas and Mash'al urging them to come to Cairo for a meeting at the earliest possible opportunity.

Israeli letter: end the projectile-launching!

The sources said that this letter concentrated on the deteriorating situation in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli threats to invade the Strip, in addition to the continued projectile-launching at Israeli towns. The sources added that the letter was sent by Suleiman after the Egyptians received an urgent letter from the Israeli government, calling them to pressure the Palestinian Authority leadership to stop the projectile-launching from the Strip.

The letter is also reported to confirm that Israel will launch a wide military operation if the projectiles continue.

Mubarak's efforts

On Thursday, the head of negotiations in the Palestine Liberation Organisation, Saeb Erekat, hailed the role of Egyptian President Husni Mubarak in preventing an Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip.

In press statements on Thursday, Erekat said: "We highly praise the role of the brothers in Egypt, who by orders from President Husni Mubarak prevented Israel from launching an offensive on the Strip. Because of these efforts, an aggression which was going to wreak huge damage for the Palestinians was prevented."

Erekat also praised Mubarak for his efforts at bringing calm between the two sides. He also confirmed that the Palestinian side is committed to the truce and stressed the need for a mutual truce between the two sides.

Shalit and the prisoners' exchange deal

According to the London-based paper 'Al-Quds Al-Arabi', the Egyptian minister, Omar Suleiman, will also update the two Palestinian leaders on the Egyptian efforts regarding the anticipated prisoners' exchange deal. Suleiman is expected to discuss the issue of the Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, who was captured by Palestinian armed groups in Gaza in June 2006, and Israel's response to the Palestinians' list of prisoners who they wish to be released in exchange. Al-Quds Al-Arabi suggested that the signs are positive in this regards.

Palestinian politics

In addition, Abbas and Mash'al are also expected to discuss the latest developments in the Palestinian arena, including the Palestinian political partnership and the efforts to rebuild the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

Palestinian President Abbas is also scheduled to meet Egyptian President Husni Mubarak on Saturday.