WEST BANK: EGYPTIAN INTELLIGENCE CHIEF OMAR SULEIMAN MEETS WITH PALESTINIAN LEADERS TO PAVE WAY FOR TRUCE TALKS

Record ID: 402171

  • Title: WEST BANK: EGYPTIAN INTELLIGENCE CHIEF OMAR SULEIMAN MEETS WITH PALESTINIAN LEADERS TO PAVE WAY FOR TRUCE TALKS
  • Date: 17th November 2003
  • Summary: (W4) RAMALLAH, WEST BANK (NOVEMBER 17, 2003) (REUTERS) 1. SLV/SV OF EGYPTIAN INTELLIGENCE CHIEF OMAR SULEIMAN ARRIVING AND ENTERING PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT YASSER ARAFAT'S COMPOUND (2 SHOTS) 2.30 2. MCU (English) SAEB EREKAT, MINISTER OF NEGOTIATION AFFAIRS, SPEAKING ABOUT TALKS WITH SULEIMAN, SAYING "I believe this is a significant visit and it come
  • Embargoed: 2nd December 2003 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: RAMALLAH, WEST BANK
  • City:
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Reuters ID: LVA1VW5CC6BFX0R1DOMQI9FNRSOU
  • Story Text: Egyptian intelligence chief Suleiman meets with
    Palestinian leaders to pave way for truce talks.



    An Egyptian mediator opened talks with Palestinian
    leaders on Monday (November 17) about reaching a ceasefire
    between Israel and Islamic militant groups crucial to the
    revival of a U.S.-backed peace plan stalled by violence.

    Two of the main militant factions, Hamas and Islamic
    Jihad, put the Egyptian broker, intelligence chief Omar
    Suleiman, on notice that his new mission would go nowhere
    without guarantees from Israel to cease all attacks on
    Palestinians under any truce.

    Widely respected by Palestinian factions, Suleiman
    helped arrange a unilateral ceasefire declared by militants
    in June. It held for two months before collapsing into
    renewed violence.

    "I believe this is a significant visit and it comes at
    a crucial time. The main aim here is to provide for a
    mutual cessation of violence as was provided for in the
    Road Map. We believe that a cessation of violence can be
    achieved through mutual mechanisms. We urge the Quartet
    committee to revive its roleand we hope that every effort
    will be exerted by all parties to ensure the success of
    this Egyptian effort."
    Palestinian cabinet minister Saeb Erekat said, referring
    to the peace plan affirmed at Middle East summits in June.

    Israeli media have already been speaking of a de facto
    ceasefire, noting that no Palestinian suicide bombings have
    occurred since early October and the Israeli army had
    suspended efforts to kill militant leaders.

    There was no immediate word whether Suleiman, after his
    meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie and
    President Yasser Arafat in the West Bank city of Ramallah,
    would see militant leaders or Israeli officials.

    Qurie said on Sunday (November 16) he hoped to begin
    ceasefire talks with militant factions soon after
    Suleiman's visit.


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