The Foreign Ministry spokesman strongly criticized the statements of the Israeli internal security minister, Avi Dichter, to the Israeli radio, in which he accused Egypt of disregarding weapons smuggling through Gaza strip.

The spokesman said on 28/8/2007 the statements not only reflect a true ignorance of the situation, but also are considered a method of intentionally throwing the responsibility of the smuggling processes to and from Gaza on the Egyptian government, a matter which Egypt rejects, in form and content.

He added that it seems that Mr. Dichter is working through these irresponsible statements in coordination with some parties outside the region, which share with him the same interests and the same feverish attempts to weaken the Egyptian role.

The spokesman outlined that Israel used to exist in the strip as an occupation force acting in an aggressive and fierce way, completely known to the Israeli Minister, until its departure in 2005, and that it used to exercise its authority in every single matter in the strip without being able to control the issue of smuggling.

The spokesman said that these unacceptable statements will not affect the Egyptian ongoing role to limit the smuggling acts, in view of their repercussions and consequences.