THE Israeli foreign ministry moved quickly yesterday to quasi expectations of an imminent visit to Egypt by the Foreign Minister, Mr David Levy, who is embroiled in a dispute with the Prime Minister, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu, over the handling of foreign policy.
"The foreign ministry emphasises that no trip to Egypt is, planned for the moment," the ministry said in a statement. The declaration came several hours after a ministry spokesman said discussions were under way with Egypt on a possible visit by Mr Levy to Cairo.
"There are contacts concerning an upcoming visit to Cairo, but I can't give you a target date... nothing has been decided yet with the Egyptians," the spokesman, Mr Yigal Palmor, said.
Egypt's government media reported yesterday morning that Mr Levy would visit Cairo at the end of August. Mr Levy has made no official visits abroad since coming to office in Mr Netanyahu's right wing government in June, and officials have said he is furious that he is being sidelined from key diplomatic "initiatives by the prime minister.
Mr Netanyahu reaffirmed in a television interview on Tuesday night that he, and not the foreign minister, was overseeing policy, on the Middle East peace process.
Since coming to power, Mr Netanyahu has visited the US, Egypt and Jordan, leaving Mr Levy at home each time.
Close Levy associates were quoted in the Israeli press yesterday as saying the foreign minister, could resign this week unless Mr Netanyahu agrees to give him a greater role in decision making. Mr Palmor said the reports were Just rumours".
Reuter adds:
The Palestinian President, Mr Yasser Arafat yesterday discussed Middle East peacemaking with King Hussein of Jordan, as part of intensive Arab consultations on how to respond to Israel's new hard line government.
At the same time President Halez of Syria held talks in Alexandria with President Mubarak of Egypt on the stalled peace process with Israel.
The Syrian President yesterday its occupation of south Lebanon first before making full peace with Damascus.
Syria and Lebanon first at the same time, in the same steps," Mr Assad told a news conference after talks with Mr Mubarak.
Lebanon and Syria are tied in a Brotherhood, Co operation and Co ordination" agreement which gives Damascus a greater say on Lebanese military, political and economic issues.
Mr Assad said Mr Netanyahu's offer, submitted via the US, raised little hope of a resumption in peace talks between the two countries, which have been stalled since March. "No one who read the invitation sent by Netanyahu gets the feeling that it is the road to peace and that those who wrote it are committed to peace," Mr Assad said.
The Lebanese President, Mr Elias Hrawi, was quick to oppose the Israeli offer made last week and Syria described it as a "trap aimed at sabotaging the good tie between Beirut and Damascus.
Mr Netanyahu said last Friday he was ready to withdraw Israeli troops from southern Lebanon if Hizbullah guerrillas were disarmed and the security of northern Israel was guaranteed.
Syria has said the Israeli proposal to pull back from a 15 km south Lebanon occupation zone sidesteps Syrian demands for a full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Golan Heights.