Last update - 00:00 26/12/2007
Livni seeking prominent figure to serve as ambassador to Egypt
By Barak Ravid ,Haaretz Correspondent
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is interested in appointing a prominent figure as ambassador to Cairo in order to "upgrade" the Foreign Ministry's influence in the strategic ties between Israel and Egypt.
Livni may appoint a figure who is not from the Foreign Ministry but holds a senior political or public position.
The tenure of Israel's current ambassador in Cairo, Shalom Cohen, is suspected to expire next summer. A tender inside the ministry has recently been issued and a number of diplomats have submitted their candidacy.
After looking over the list, Livni asked that more names be added. Livni explained that Cairo was a "strategic capital" for Israel similar to Washington or Moscow and therefore the position most be filled by a highly capable and experienced person.
Livni is interested in seeing a dramatic change in the influence of the ministry regarding Egyptian diplomacy, especially in light of the weapons smuggling issue and Egypt's involvement in the Palestinian Authority.
In the past few years, a situation has developed in which the main ties to Egypt have been between officials in the Defense Ministry or Prime Minister's office and Egyptian intelligence. The Israeli Embassy has been disconnected from most of the dialogue between the two countries. Livni believes that the appointment of a prominent figure as ambassador could alter that status quo.
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