Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, inviting him to visit in Sharm el-Sheikh. The prime minister accepted the invitation and the offices of the two leaders are finalizing arrangements for a visit which is expected to take place in the near future.

Reports from Jerusalem indicate the prime minister phoned Mubarak in an effort to calm the situation, pledging continued cooperation between the two nations. It is obvious the call was prompted by the appointment of Avigdor Lieberman as foreign minister. Lieberman prior to his senior appointment on numerous occasions lashed out at the Egyptians, pointing out that Mubarak is never willing to visit Israel. Lieberman called on Israeli officials to stop visiting Egypt until Egypt recognizes Israel and agrees to travel to Jerusalem.

Egyptian media reports state they are unaware of the extended invitation.

In their phone conversation, the prime minister reportedly stressed the strategic importance of the relationship between Jerusalem and Cairo, emphasizing the need to address mutual areas of interest as well as regional threats.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)