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Egypt on Friday slammed hostile Israeli attitude toward Iraq, saying such an attitude reflects thatIsrael has no desire to peacefully co-exist with others in the Mideast region.
"Such an Israeli policy do not reflect any Israeli desire to live in peace and security based on mutual respect in the Mideast region," Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher told reporters.
While commenting on Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres' remarks on Israel's support for an early US attack on Iraq, Maher said the Israeli move is part of its policies to undermine Arab regimes.
"Such an Israeli attitude would escalate the current tensions inthe region and destroy all Arab efforts to bring about peace," Maher stressed, adding "any Israeli interference would seriously complicate the Mideast situation."
The Egyptian minister denounced that the provocative Israeli policy violates the international law.
During an interview with CNN broadcast earlier in the day, Peressaid although any attack on Iraq would be dangerous, postponing it would be more dangerous.
Israeli press reported on Friday that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has sent messages to the US administration in recent days, appealing to the United States not to defer its military operations on Iraq.
The United States has accused Iraq of developing weapons of massdestruction to pose a threat to security of its neighboring countries, which was denied by Iraq.
US President George W. Bush has recently insisted that he will use all tools at his disposal to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
Last Saturday, Egypt reaffirmed its rejection of any possible attack against Iraq.
"Arab position on the matter is clear, and Egypt has taken the lead in terms of rejecting any such move," Maher said.
Arab countries and some European allies of the United States have also warned of severe consequences in the Mideast region and the world at large if the United States attacks Iraq.
(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2002)
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