Egypt has informed the United States of an elaborate vision for reaching a comprehensive, permanent and final solution to the Palestinian and Iraqi issues.

This target is to be achieved through a number of specific measures and steps starting now and to be completed through a timetable which will be clearly drafted.

The Egyptian delegation now visiting the US capital including Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit and Minister Omar Suleiman has raised this vision during talks with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and senior US officials.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said this Egyptian vision of the Palestinian cause provides for a two-phase agreement culminating with the final solution which is represented in the setting up of the Palestinian state within the borders of 1967 with Jerusalem its capital.

Egypt has completely ruled out the idea of the interim state as these clashes with the goal which is currently pursued by Egypt; founding a final solution to the Palestinian problem.

Minister Abul Gheit said the first phase Egypt has suggested to the US administration aims to maintain independence of the relationship between the Israeli and Palestinian sides and includes taking mutual measures atop of which are the exchange of prisoners, return to Sharm El-Sheikh understandings, and commitment to security appeasement in order to build confidence.

The second phase is represented in resuming final negotiations which could be held in any form probably undeclared.

Minister Abul Gheit said Egypt has no objection to the suggestion which was raised by Secretary Rice for making the roadmap stages more concise.

He expressed hope that a headway could be achieved at the meeting which is to be attended by Secretary Rice, Palestinian President Abul Mazen and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on February 19.

As for the Iraqi issue, Egypt has chalked out its vision for ending ethnic violence through a number of steps atop of which is involving the elements objecting to the US occupation in the political process and giving them the right to take part.

Minister Abul Gheit said Egypt believes that the Iraqi constitution should be amended to ensure the participation of all members of the society in the political process.

The Egyptian visualization also includes rebuilding the Iraqi army and police and not-ostracizing everyone who worked with Al-Baath Party besides non-interference in the Iraqi Affairs.

The Egyptian delegation continued intensive talks in the US capital yesterday by holding two meetings with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and a number of White House officials and Congressmen. All these meetings were dedicated for discussing the situation in the Middle East, bilateral relations which were described by Abul Gheit as warm and at their best.


Furthermore, Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit conferred with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul in Washington on the current situation in Iraq and preparations under-way for the coming conference of Iraq's neighbouring states.

Egypt's top diplomat during his meeting with Gul, which took place on Tuesday, stressed the need to assess the present conditions in the region in general, especially the Iraqi file and resumption of meetings between Iraq's neighbours and Egypt in a bid to bring about calmness in war-torn Iraq.

Minister Abul Gheit said his meetings with the Congressmen tackled regional problems, the Palestinian problem and the situation in Iraq and the Israeli nuclear file. Abul Gheit said the Egyptian-US relations are warm.

He said the US highly appreciates the Egyptian role in the Middle East as a factor of stability in the Middle East.