Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit said the use by Arab countries enjoying distinctive relations with the United States such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the UAE and others of these positive relations to convince the United States of moving towards settling Arab Israeli conflict is a positive thing.

He referred to previous similar moves made by Egypt in cooperation with Jordan and the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council contributed to convincing the US administration to move for settling the Palestinian cause which represents the core and crux of the conflict in the region.

He called on all parties to invest their distinctive relations with any influential international party urging international community to find a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause.

He renewed Cairo determination to continue to act with the parties concerned for securing the success of the underway efforts for activating peace process and reaching a solution to the Palestinian Israeli conflict.

Abul-Gheit said the efforts by the Secretary of State to resume political negotiations between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert conforms to the Egyptian vision of comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

He said Egypt has always been calling for not contenting with security measures and small steps, adding that Egypt has been encouraging the Palestinian and Israeli sides to return to negotiations table.

He said Egypt is working with the Palestinian side to help them rearrange their domestic positions, to support national unity and to maintain the independence of the Palestinian decision.

He said Egypt is working with the Palestinian and Arab sides for rebuilding the Palestinian establishments which were demolished during the past six years, adding that Egypt is also working with the US administration and Israel to shore up ceasefire in Gaza and possibly expanding it to cover all Palestinian territories.

Answering a question on whether there is a plan to launch the Arab peace intuitive before the Security Council, Abul- Gheit said Arab leaders meeting in Riyadh will discuss this issue adding the most important thing is to better select the timing so as to secure success.

In addition to this, Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit on Monday19/3/2007 said the talks he held with his Belgian counterpart Karel De Gucht yesterday concentrated on the latest developments in the Middle East, especially as regards the Palestinian problem and efforts to settle it, the situation in Lebanon and Iraq, the Iranian file and the relationship between the Muslim world and the West.

The Minister was speaking at a news conference he held jointly with his Belgian counterpart Karel De Gucht following their talks that lasted nearly an hour and a half.

The top diplomat told the news conference, Egypt appreciated the Belgian stand towards the Middle East that was expressed to him by the Belgian Minister.

He said De Gucht discussed with him his plans to meet with the Palestinian Foreign Minister during his coming visit to the Palestinian territories. "Such a meeting would really be a welcome step on the part of the Belgian side and we believe that it will be an addition to ongoing multilateral efforts to push the Palestinian peaceful settlement process out of its current impasse," Abul-Gheit said.

He said the Belgian Minister informed him about an unofficial meeting that the European Union foreign ministers will hold on Saturday to discuss the Middle East situation and the European Union stand.