The establishment of two states was the only way forward in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but Hamas must commit to non-violent political means, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said after meeting Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak at Farmleigh in Dublin yesterday morning.
"Ireland has stated very clearly, internationally, that the crises in Lebanon and Palestine underline that there are no military or unilateral solutions to the interlinked problems of the Middle East. We have to find a way, urgently, to return to a credible plan for a comprehensive settlement . . . based centrally on a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," he said. But although the EU had been "the strongest supporter" of the Palestinians internationally, the Minister underlined the EU's "united message" to the winners of the January elections to the Palestinian Authority.
"There cannot be a twin-track approach. Hamas must commit unambiguously to the political process and to a definitive end to violence and terror," he said.
"I told President Mubarak how we strongly support the efforts of Palestinian president Abbas to negotiate a national unity government. We believe it is in the interests of the Palestinian people that he persevere in his difficult negotiations to agree a platform which would enable the re-launch of a credible process for a two-state solution."
The two men also discussed Iraq. "Our primary concern is for the people of the country. We believe that their future depends on the maintenance of Iraq's territorial integrity, the development of shared political institutions, and of strong economic and political links with all of its regional neighbours," Mr Ahern said.
Also yesterday Suzanne Mubarak, wife of the Egyptian president, visited St Michael's House headquarters in Ballymun to view its facilities and consult management on the development of services for children with intellectual disabilities in Egypt. President Mubarak also met President Mary McAleese at Áras an Uachtaráin but a tree-planting ceremony was cancelled. He later met Taoiseach Bertie Ahern before departing for Paris to meet French president Jacques Chirac.