Egypt,Israel discuss Middle East peace process,Iran

Reviving the Middle East peace process on the basis of a two-state solution and challenges posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions came up for discussion.

Reviving the Middle East peace process on the basis of a two-state solution and challenges posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions came up for discussion as Egyptian President Husni Mubarak met Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak in Cairo.

The talks also touched halting of Israeli settlement activities in occupied Palestinian territories,an issue which has become the point of contention between Israel and the US,with President Barack Obama pressing for a freeze.

Emerging from the meeting on Sunday Barak told reporters that the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is committed to reach a solution under which the Israelis and Palestinians could live side by side in peace.

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Noting that there were differences between the Israeli government and US administration on the steps to be taken to accomplish the target,Barak said efforts will be exerted in the coming weeks to pave way for taking forward the process.

Mubarak,meanwhile said a peace deal was “within reach” but Israel must stop settlement in occupied West Bank.

The peace process,Barak said is passing through a very “important stage” in view of challenges posed by Hezbollah,Hamas,Iran and terror.

The talks also addressed Iran’s plans to emerge as a nuclear and hegemonic regional power,he said,adding the current unrest there was a reflection of the prevailing tension and Iranians seem ready to express their standpoints. Barak said he also discussed with Mubarak the issue of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit,kidnapped by Palestinian militants,highlighting the efforts exerted by Egypt to set him free in view of Cairo’s strong ties with the Palestinian side.

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He said both the US and Israel seek to protect Israel’s security and stressed that a final settlement to the Palestinian issue should respect the nature of Israel as a Jewish state.

The meeting follows a landmark speech delivered by US President Barack Obama in Cairo on June 4 in which he outlined his strategy for re-launching the faltering peace talks.

It will also comes a week after hawkish Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu endorsed for the first time the creation of a Palestinian state,albeit demilitarised. However,Netanyahu did not mention halting of settlement activities.

Arabs criticised the conditions Netanyahu placed for the creation of a Palestinian State including recognising the Jewish nature of Israel.

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Arab foreign ministers are to meet in Cairo on June 24 to discuss the statements of Obama and Netanyahu.