Egypt's ruling military council leader, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, held discussions on Monday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas over regional and international efforts to bolster the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. They also discussed Egypt's support for the recent reconciliation agreement between Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. During the meeting, Abbas expressed readiness to start negotiations with Israel using the foundation suggested by US President Barack Obama in his 19 May speech on the Middle East, as well as relying on the resolutions of the Arab Peace Initiative. In his speech, Obama urged Israel to withdraw from the areas it has been occupying since 1967, a demand Israel strongly rejects. The meeting was attended by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces' deputy chairman, Sami Anan, along with other council members and Abbas' escorting delegation. Abbas thanked the military council and the Egyptian government for their ongoing support for Palestinians and the major role Egypt played in forging the reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas. Translated from the Arabic Edition
