De Israelische Terreur 790

'Lieberman rattles Cairo-Tel Aviv ties
Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:27:45 GMT

Egypt comes close to rejecting an Israeli invite, as tensions rise between the two sides over Lieberman's offensive remarks about Mubarak.
On Sunday, fears grew among officials in Tel Aviv that Cairo may boycott a Tuesday ceremony organized by the Foreign Affairs Ministry for the 30th anniversary of the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty.
With only two days remaining till the event, the Israeli government had still not received any confirmation of attendance from Egypt's ambassador to Israel.
Reports circulated that Egypt was demanding an apology from Israeli hardliner and foreign minister-designate Avigdor Lieberman for insulting the Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak.
Back in 2008, Lieberman, leader of the radical right-wing party Yisrael Beiteinu, had said that he hoped to see Israel bomb the Aswan Dam, adding that Mubarak could 'go to hell' if he refused to visit Tel Aviv.
The hawkish politician, who gained more power after Israel's recent parliamentary elections, also suggested that Mubarak was lacking in 'self-respect'. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Shimon Peres apologized over Lieberman's remarks.
Israeli premier-designate Benjamin Netanyahu has sought to reassure Cairo that his decision to appoint the firebrand to the top post would not jeopardize relations between the two sides.
"Close aides of Netanyahu and Lieberman have met with Egyptian officials to explain to them that the arrival of Lieberman at the foreign ministry should not be a reason for tension between the two countries," Netanyahu's office said.
Putting an end to Israeli fears, Egyptian ambassador Yasser Rid informed the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry late on Sunday that he would take part in the ceremony.
Rida also denied that Egyptian officials had met with the Israeli side to quell their concerns about Lieberman's appointment, insisting that Cairo does not get involved in Israel's internal politics.
"I regret how Israeli politics have used Egypt's name and the ambassador to Israel," Rida said.
"The ambassador cannot deny such claims on a daily basis. Egypt is a country with clear and stable policies, and we do not intervene in the internal matters of others," he added.
MJ/DT'
Zie: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=89385&sectionid=351020202