Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit on Monday15/5/2007 denounced Israel's reported plan to transfer governmental offices to East Jerusalem (Al-Quds).

Reports indicated that Israel was planning to move most of the governmental departments to the Holy City as part of preparations for celebrating the 40th anniversary for unifying the two parts of Al-Quds, which is in fact the date of the occupation of East Jerusalem.

Abul-Gheit, in a released statement, said such reports, that coincide with the announcement of other plans for constructing thousands of residential units in Al-Quds, come in contradiction with the content of a recent meeting that grouped the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan and Israel.

Abul-Gheit explained unshakable inalienable Arab and Egyptian stance on Al-Quds being part and parcel of the Palestinian territories that were occupied in 1967.

The Foreign Minister also renewed Egypt's categorical rejection of any Israeli settlement projects in Al-Quds.

He highlighted the importance of explaining to the international community the religious, cultural and national dimensions of the Holy City in a bid to stop any attempts to obliterate its Arab character.

He pointed out that the foreign ministerial meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, set for Islamabad on Tuesday, furnishes an opportunity for discussing the issue and affirm the Arab and Islamic countries stance on Al-Quds.

Abul-Gheit will send messages to the UN Chief, Arab league Secretary General and the OIC and NAM chairman to intensify political and diplomatic action behind the issue of Al-Quds.