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President Shimon Peres meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Sharm el-Sheikh on Thursday. (Reuters)
Last update - 00:00 23/10/2008
Peres in Sharm el-Sheikh: Saudi plan can bring peace to Mideast
By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent and The Associated Press

in the region.
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The Nobel peace laureate Peres, whose post is mostly ceremonial, proposed putting Israel's various peace talks on one track last month at the United Nations, calling on Saudi King Abdullah to further his initiative.

He has since been pushing the idea in meetings with Israeli, Arab and Western officials, his office said. During a visit Thursday to Egypt, Peres held talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheik. The two later held a joint press conference.

Peres said that while he doesn't "accept all of the Saudi plan and it needs to be negotiated further, its spirit is correct."

However, Mubarak openly disagreed with Peres' one-track approach - saying "the Saudi initiative is not open for negotiations."

Mubarak said Palestinians and Israelis should first reach an agreement through bilateral talks, before all Arab states normalize relations with Israel. His spokesman, Suleiman Awwad, later said Mubarak dismisses the idea of all Arab countries holding talks together with Israel before Israeli-Palestinian
conflict is resolved.

The 2002 Saudi proposal offers pan-Arab recognition of Israel in exchange for Israel's withdrawal from Arab lands captured in 1967. The 22-member Arab League has endorsed the plan.

"In tandem with the bilateral negotiations with the Palestinians, we need to promote the Arab peace initiative," Peres told reporters.

On Sunday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Israeli leaders were seriously considering the dormant Saudi plan. He said in radio interview that he had discussed it with prime minister-designate Tzipi Livni, who is in the process of forming a new government, and that Israel is considering a response.

There is definitely room to introduce a comprehensive Israeli plan to counter the Saudi plan that would be the basis for a discussion on overall regional peace, Barak told Israel's Army Radio.

Israel also objects to language in the initiative that appears to endorse a large-scale return of Palestinian refugees to lands inside Israel. Israel says a massive influx of Palestinians would destroy the country's Jewish character.

Mubarak to Peres: Don't blame Egypt for failures in Shalit deal

Mubarak told Peres on Thursday not to blame Egypt for the failures thus far in securing the release of abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit.

Shalit was abducted by Gaza militants in a cross-border raid in June 2006. Negotiations with Hamas for his release, mediated by Cairo, have so far yielded little result.

This was Peres' first visit to Sharm el-Sheikh since 1996 and he was was welcomed in a formal military ceremony.

Egypt will continue its persistent efforts to mediate and ensure success of [Gilad] Shalit release deal and the Palestinian prisoners deal, Mubarak said.

Egypt has been brokering a potential prisoner exchange between Israel and Gaza's Hamas leaders. Hamas is holding an Israeli soldier, captured more than two years ago in a cross-border raid from Gaza into southern Israel.


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      1.   Sir Shimon Peres 14:42  |  ChanahS 23/10/08
      2.   Mubarak has no courage ... 14:47  |  Observer 23/10/08
      3.   The emperor`s clothes is the story of Mbarak 15:10  |  asdf 23/10/08
      4.   Mubarak is right 15:23  |  shlomo 23/10/08
      5.   Egypt no friend 16:56  |  Bhaskar 23/10/08
      6.   But, Ben Jabo Ben Tize does not approve the saudi peace plan 17:32  |  Aounist 23/10/08
      7.   why doesnt peres dye his hair too ? 17:38  |  victor hardman 23/10/08
      8.   UN 1967 Resolutions is clear 17:56  |  MA 23/10/08
      9.   I would try to understand Peres if he would be in.... 18:25  |  misha 23/10/08
      10.   Saudi Plan 18:33  |  MB 23/10/08
      11.   He just hasn`t read the Saudi proposal 18:47  |  The Observer 23/10/08
      12.   SMALL WORDING CORRECTION 18:57  |  zionist forever 23/10/08
      13.   The Palestinian Issue and Arab xenophobia. 19:14  |  Stephen. 23/10/08
      14.   Saudi plan failed to bring Peace bettwen in Gaza ! 19:26  |  Akram Zekaria 23/10/08
      15.   Gazans got all of Gaza free despite Jewish land there 19:49  |  x-ray 23/10/08
      16.   Peres old and senile...cant read the Saudi Plan.. 22:04  |  Jordan 23/10/08
      17.   A hopeful response - may they have the courage to follow through 22:06  |  Ivar 23/10/08
      18.   #17 more from the alien from the saudi planet 23:57  |  victor hardman 23/10/08
      19.   Sitting in Plush Chairs 23:59  |  ZADOK 23/10/08
      20.   Mubarak is an enemy with which Israel has "peace". 00:23  |  Fortuna Benmayor 24/10/08
      21.   Reading you loud and clear, Mr President.... 00:33  |  Johnboy 24/10/08
      22.   I TOLD YOU MUBARAK 00:57  |  indrajaya 24/10/08
      23.   A dose of reality for MA 01:37  |  Mark Lincoln 24/10/08
      24.   Fortuna Benmayor 01:43  |  Mark Lincoln 24/10/08
      25.   Just pointing this out one more time..... 06:04  |  Johnboy 24/10/08
      26.   #23 Ah, but it refuses to go away, Mark Lincoln 06:21  |  Johnboy 24/10/08
      27.   #24 johnboy and more and more puff pastry. 08:52  |  victor hardman 24/10/08
      28.   Whyu now? So a wedge can be shoved in Sunni Shiaa relations. 10:38  |  American 24/10/08
      29.   Peres is mistaken 12:01  |  Brod 24/10/08
      30.   When? 12:06  |  Murray 24/10/08
      31.   Good!!!! 12:41  |  Edith 24/10/08
      32.   Combined Egyptian Israeli Presidential efforts for posterity 12:45  |  H.H.M. 24/10/08
      33.   Arab lands captured in 1967? 12:49  |  lady from USA 24/10/08
      34.   WHAT THE SAUDI PLANwill definitely BRING: 13:11  |  Avraham 24/10/08
      35.   Peres has no respect for the country 13:47  |  Ilan 24/10/08
      36.   Saudi Plan 14:06  |  Mary 24/10/08
      37.   Johnboy # 25 The Arabs Aren`t Saying That At All (part 1) 14:46  |  Jeff Northridge 24/10/08
      38.   Says something about Egypt that there are fewer than 50 Jews 15:08  |  spade 24/10/08
      39.   Arab Withdrawal 15:15  |  utagawa 24/10/08
      40.   What;s wrong with the Arab Peace Plan? 15:34  |  utagawa 24/10/08
      41.   Johnboy # 25 The Arabs Aren`t Saying That At All (part 2) 15:35  |  Jeff Northridge 24/10/08
      42.   Sharm El Sheik was returned to Egypt after 6 day war. 15:47  |  Big Sur 24/10/08
      43.   #22 Indrayaja Iranian Poster Girl what stabbing? 15:52  |  Big Sur 24/10/08
      44.   Johnboy how ridiculous why are you looking for fault. 15:54  |  Big Sur 24/10/08
      45.   #26 Everyone agrees with the spoils of war Johnboy 15:59  |  Big Sur 24/10/08
      46.   The big lies. 16:07  |  Jean Van Daem 24/10/08
      47.   "Jewish/Israeli/suicidal Saudi Plan" 16:59  |  Jami 24/10/08
      48.   Brod and his irrepressible irony... 17:40  |  BBSNews 24/10/08
      49.   Seven years in March 2009 Murray... 17:45  |  BBSNews 24/10/08
      50.   Johnboy - doesn`t know a plan from a negotiated plan 17:47  |  SDHD 24/10/08
      51.   Johnboy - comprehension in a vacuum 17:48  |  SDHD 24/10/08
      52.   Johnboy portrays Israel in a false light 17:52  |  SDHD 24/10/08
      53.   Yes, Katusha bases Overlooking Gush Dan, Please 18:25  |  Israeli Leftist 24/10/08
      54.   Murray`s presentation 19:21  |  SDHD 24/10/08
      55.   BSNews and his 7 years 19:57  |  SDHD 24/10/08
      56.   Saudi plan calls for millions of Arabs to be let in Israel. 20:36  |  Ken Jurist 24/10/08
      57.   is good sense dawning ... at last? 20:38  |  ravi 24/10/08
      58.   Peres is a bigger appeaser then Neville Chamberlain 20:39  |  David Stoler 24/10/08
      59.   Grab it while it is still possible 21:16  |  David 24/10/08
      60.   Comprehensive Peace upon reaching Israeli/Palestinian Agreement.. 22:29  |  Smadar 24/10/08
      61.   First Olmert and Now Peres 22:38  |  Peter 24/10/08
      62.   #34 SDHD re: Saudi Peace Plan 22:51  |  Smadar 24/10/08
      63.   geo-politics & hostory 00:06  |  lebewohl 25/10/08
      64.   tTHE THEORY OF STUPIDITYAMPLIFIED BY POSTERS 00:48  |  v.hardman 25/10/08
      65.   Smadar, you missed this part of the story above: 00:52  |  SDHD 25/10/08
      66.   #27 You can NEGOTIATE with anyone, Victor 01:08  |  Johnboy 25/10/08
      67.   #34 Big Sur tries the Big Lie. 01:13  |  Johnboy 25/10/08
      68.   #33 Pointing out where Jeff goes very, very wrong 01:20  |  Johnboy 25/10/08
      69.   #55 jb knows as much about negotiation as he does law 01:23  |  v.hardman 25/10/08
      70.   #40 Negotiation doesn`t work that way, SDHD 01:26  |  Johnboy 25/10/08
      71.   As usual, the obvious soars over Johnboy`s head 01:42  |  SDHD 25/10/08
      72.   Johnboy lying through his teeth 01:45  |  SDHD 25/10/08
      73.   Johnboy -- as dim as you can get 01:48  |  SDHD 25/10/08
      74.   You`re right David, it`s the best offer Israel will ever get... 01:53  |  BBSNews 25/10/08
      75.   To Johnboy (#25): No tricking, just treating 02:12  |  Morris Valentine 25/10/08
      76.   BSNews and "the best offer" 02:37  |  SDHD 25/10/08
      77.   Only in the minds of the rabidly anti-Israeli 03:00  |  SDHD 25/10/08
      78.   The LIE of peace. 03:39  |  DOC HOLLIDAY 25/10/08
      79.   Jordan reasonably addressed RoR Morris early on... 04:28  |  BBSNews 25/10/08
      80.   Why Israel Doesn`t Want Peace 04:46  |  Gray 25/10/08
      81.   BSNews and bunk 05:19  |  SDHD 25/10/08
      82.   Why gray`s posts contain no gray matter 05:20  |  SDHD 25/10/08
      83.   To BBSNews (#79): Not addressed; return to sender 07:06  |  Morris Valentine 25/10/08
      84.   #75 I see the trickery works a treat on you, Morris 07:26  |  Johnboy 25/10/08
      85.   #71 SDHD proves you can fool some of the people all the time. 07:49  |  Johnboy 25/10/08
      86.   Johnboy-The UN resolutions 07:52  |  Daniel Leopold 25/10/08
      87.   Morris, it`s bloody well reality now... 08:12  |  BBSNews 25/10/08
      88.   Johnboy`s trickery -- he even tricks himself!!!! 08:58  |  SDHD 25/10/08
      89.   Johnboy -- the posterchild for, "obtuse" 09:00  |  SDHD 25/10/08
      90.   Johnboy -- maybe he`s not a native English speaker 09:04  |  SDHD 25/10/08
      91.   BSNews single-handedly guarantees Israel`s security 09:07  |  SDHD 25/10/08
      92.   #86 The simple rebuttal to your claim, DL 09:36  |  Johnboy 25/10/08
      93.   Johnboy`s anti-Israeli head wired backwards 09:45  |  SDHD 25/10/08
      94.   TALK TO THE UNITY GOVERNMENT FOR PEACE 11:52  |  indrajaya 25/10/08
      95.   American suggests 12:58  |  Jackie 25/10/08
      96.   Zionists want war not peace 13:01  |  James 25/10/08
      97.   #74 BSNews...........Best offer ISRAEL will get LOL 13:27  |  Ari ben Yisrael 25/10/08
      98.   Johnboy-#86-It`s not about love,it`s about sovereignty 14:47  |  Daniel Leopold 25/10/08
      99.   Johnboy # 84 Bull! 14:50  |  Jeff Northridge 25/10/08
      100.   It all might hinge on the Israeli elections 15:17  |  Mark Lincoln 25/10/08
      101.   Gray the generous 15:24  |  utagawa 25/10/08
      102.   indrajaya # 94 What Are You Talking About? 15:43  |  Jeff Northridge 25/10/08
      103.   #80; Gray Wrong on every Point, Again. Here are just a few facts 16:28  |  DOC HOLLIDAY 25/10/08
      104.   # 95, JEFF NORTHRIDGE 16:43  |  indrajaya 25/10/08
      105.   #87 Johnboy...fair would be giving a number 17:06  |  Lynn 25/10/08
      106.   #25 Johnboy....it is unacceptable 17:17  |  Lynn 25/10/08
      107.   Johnboy -- not even as smart as a first grader 18:01  |  SDHD 25/10/08
      108.   Lynn #99 - What non-negotiable means 18:06  |  SDHD 25/10/08
      109.   Israel - BEWARE of the GIFT in this PEACE plan 18:11  |  CK Tan 25/10/08
      110.   johnboy DESPERATE for COMPANY in his LEMMINGS` RACE 18:13  |  CK Tan 25/10/08
      111.   BEWARE, Israel, of the GIFT in this PEACE plan 18:27  |  CK Tan 25/10/08
      112.   indrajaya # 97 That Assumes A Lot 18:46  |  Jeff Northridge 25/10/08
      113.   BBSNews # 87 _ Morris Valentine Was Not Implying Anything 19:03  |  Eli 25/10/08
      114.   Trust the Saudis just read this! 20:07  |  Daniel 25/10/08
      115.   Indajara why your doule standars 20:10  |  Daniel 25/10/08
      116.   johnboy and indrajaya,when jeff northridge exposes you for the 20:55  |  terrornator 25/10/08
      117.   terrornator, you must be joking... 21:36  |  BBSNews 25/10/08
      118.   Israel; Based on Seizure and Conquest 21:38  |  Gray 25/10/08
      119.   Israel; Based on Seizure and Conquest 21:38  |  Gray 25/10/08
      120.   Why peace is the normal state of relations 22:21  |  Mark Lincoln 25/10/08
      121.   #97 Ari ben Y.; About "Getting It" 22:22  |  Gray 25/10/08
      122.   Doc H. Just because....... 22:35  |  Gray 25/10/08
      123.   Re: Doc Hasbara; It just takes five minutes......... 22:50  |  Gray 25/10/08
      124.   Mark Lincoln-#100-Livni or Bibi 23:00  |  Daniel Leopold 25/10/08
      125.   Arab anti-Israel chest pounding - no gray matter 23:23  |  SDHD 25/10/08
      126.   Mark Lincoln # 117 That Explains Everything 23:57  |  Jeff Northridge 25/10/08
      127.   shimon the king 00:11  |  jean marie 26/10/08
      128.   #106 THEN DON`T ACCEPT IT, Lynn 02:03  |  Johnboy 26/10/08
      129.   arabnews.com 02:15  |  BBSNews 26/10/08
      130.   #99 Jeff keeps shouting his outrage 02:29  |  Johnboy 26/10/08
      131.   Sorry, JB, wrong again (#84) 02:42  |  Morris Valentine 26/10/08
      132.   To BBSNews (#87): Complications of an implication 02:45  |  Morris Valentine 26/10/08
      133.   Johnboy -- our interplanetary traveler 03:17  |  SDHD 26/10/08
      134.   #107 SDHD makes the same mistake time after time. 03:21  |  Johnboy 26/10/08
      135.   Johnboy doesn`t understand basic concepts time after time 04:17  |  SDHD 26/10/08
      136.   #131 Morris Valentine has no idea how negotiations happen 04:20  |  Johnboy 26/10/08
      137.   #131 Cutting thru the chaff, Morris. 04:32  |  Johnboy 26/10/08
      138.   In violation of international law Ari ben Yisrael... 04:41  |  BBSNews 26/10/08
      139.   #135 One More Time For SDHD 04:47  |  Johnboy 26/10/08
      140.   Johnboy -- not the thinking type 04:47  |  SDHD 26/10/08
      141.   Johnboy -- thinks it`s playtime 04:49  |  SDHD 26/10/08
      142.   The obvious just doesn`t occur to Johnboy 05:07  |  SDHD 26/10/08
      143.   Northridge, provide your copy of the Saudi Plan 05:12  |  BBSNews 26/10/08
      144.   Daniel Leopold - I cannot forget 05:27  |  Mark Lincoln 26/10/08
      145.   Morris, yes you did... 05:31  |  BBSNews 26/10/08
      146.   Jeff Northridge - no 05:32  |  Mark Lincoln 26/10/08
      147.   To SDHD (#141) 05:35  |  Morris Valentine 26/10/08
      148.   BBSNews - sorry 05:37  |  Mark Lincoln 26/10/08
      149.   Johnboy, troll boy does not get it... 05:55  |  BBSNews 26/10/08
      150.   BSNews -- always the liar 06:24  |  SDHD 26/10/08
      151.   BSNews -- More fiction about the right of return 06:27  |  SDHD 26/10/08
      152.   Peres - & Israel Keep making BIG MISTAKES 06:29  |  Billy the Jew 26/10/08
      153.   BSNews -- doesn`t know people see he`s transparently dishonest 06:31  |  SDHD 26/10/08
      154.   to observer, Israeli arrogance to blame 07:39  |  gus 26/10/08
      155.   Peres in Sharm el-Sheikh 07:46  |  Ralph 26/10/08
      156.   This is it for Israel....sink or swim 08:09  |  Dutch 26/10/08
      157.   Dutch launches another war against Israel 08:38  |  SDHD 26/10/08
      158.   Gus missed the "coherent" bus 08:40  |  SDHD 26/10/08
      159.   #149 Yes, thats about the sum of it, BBSNews 11:34  |  Johnboy 26/10/08
      160.   #159 more pearls of idiocy from jb the retired diplomat 11:59  |  victor hardman 26/10/08
      161.   #160 The simple rebuttal, victor 12:53  |  Johnboy 26/10/08
      162.   #122-23:Gray, back to name calling when your facts are wrong! 14:36  |  DOC HOLLIDAY 26/10/08
      163.   #123" GRAY con`t part 2 14:46  |  DOC HOLLIDAY 26/10/08
      164.   #149:BBSNews why do you keep saying it`s astarting point? 16:37  |  DOC HOLLIDAY 26/10/08
      165.   Johnboy, a serious fruitloop 17:09  |  SDHD 26/10/08
      166.   Doc Holiday #163 17:13  |  SDHD 26/10/08
      167.   To BBSNews (#145): No, I didn`t! 19:01  |  Morris Valentine 26/10/08
      168.   A Dx for the Doc (#163) 19:17  |  Morris Valentine 26/10/08
      169.   Doc H.`s; Hasbara Cut n` Paste Site still doesn`t..... 20:35  |  Gray 26/10/08
      170.   #169:Gray, I simply posted the 3 British White papers 22:38  |  DOC HOLLIDAY 26/10/08
      171.   Doc Hasbara And His "Case Closed" Mantra 00:33  |  Gray 27/10/08
      172.   Gray matter -- putrid thinking 00:42  |  SDHD 27/10/08
      173.   SDHD; Another Cheerleader for Ethnic Cleansing 03:52  |  Gray 27/10/08
      174.   #165 2nd try to point out where SDHD goes wrong 04:30  |  Johnboy 27/10/08
      175.   Gray, In a way I feel sorry for you 15:50  |  DOC HOLLIDAY 27/10/08
      176.   Johnboy and "chairs: 21:06  |  SDHD 27/10/08
      177.   #176 Now, I ask you all..... 23:28  |  Johnboy 27/10/08
      178.   Johnboy`s audience: 23:46  |  SDHD 27/10/08
      179.   #178 My, my, you are an ignorant little fella` SDHD 01:38  |  Johnboy 28/10/08
      180.   To JB (#177): The vote is in. 05:36  |  Morris Valentine 28/10/08
      181.   Johnboy`s ignorance 06:42  |  SDHD 28/10/08
      182.   #180 To Morris Valentine 06:50  |  Johnboy 28/10/08
      183.   Israeli plan 15:40  |  Murray 28/10/08
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