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Last update - 11:22 12/05/2008 Olmert, Mubarak to meet 'within weeks'; Suleiman here today By Barak Ravid and Avi Issacharoff Tags: Ehud Olmert, Gaza, Cease-fire  Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is expected to visit Egypt in the coming weeks, where he will meet with President Hosni Mubarak to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip, the framework for a cease-fire agreement and the continuing negotiations with the Palestinians on the core issues of a permanent settlement. The Chief of Egyptian Intelligence, Omar Suleiman, is scheduled to arrive in Israel Monday for meetings on the outcome of recent talks between representatives of Egypt and Hamas and the other Palestinian factions in the Strip. Olmert's visit to Egypt was agreed to in principle during a conversation with Mubarak on April 30, before the Talansky Affair broke. Mubarak had told Olmert that he is interested to talk in private about the situation in Gaza and the negotiations with the Palestinians, and the two agreed that the PM would visit Egypt in the wake of President George W. Bush's visit to Israel and the summit with the Arab heads of state at Sharm el-Sheikh next week. Advertisement Suleiman will meet Monday morning with Olmert and then with Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. Yesterday morning the three held a meeting to coordinate their views on the cease-fire proposal in the Gaza Strip, ahead of their individual meetings with Suleiman. Suleiman is also expected to meet with Minister of Industry and Trade Eli Yishai, with whom he will discuss the case of the abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been held captive in the Gaza Strip since June 2006. According to the Egyptian proposal, Israel will agree to the opening of the Rafah crossing, and possibly other crossing points, and will cease military operations in the Gaza Strip. In return, Hamas will cease rocket and mortar attacks against Israel and other attacks from inside the Strip. After a six-month period, Egypt will begin efforts to apply the agreement to the West Bank as well. Hamas spokesmen said in recent days that the organization is expecting an Israeli agreement to the offer at hand. Olmert is expected to stress during his meeting with Suleiman that the framework for the tahadiyeh, the calm Egypt is proposing, will be brought before the political-defense cabinet and will require its approval. As such, Israel will not immediately offer its response to Suleiman and the offer. A senior political source said yesterday that Israel will not be able to flatly turn down the Egyptian proposal because it must not be seen as the party responsible for foiling the diplomatic effort. On the other hand, Israel will present Suleiman with a series of questions, as well as its reservations. According to a political source, Olmert will tell Suleiman that Israel would like to learn whether the offer is only for a "time out" or a genuine calm - only then will it be able to formulate its position. Israel will stress the following during the meetings with Suleiman: a. In any agreement for calm in the Gaza Strip, the IDF will retain the freedom of action against the terrorist groups in the Strip. b. The calm must include a complete cessation of rocket and terrorist attacks from the Gaza Strip, carried out by all groups. c. There is a need to deal with the issue of smuggling of arms into the Gaza Strip and the growing strength of the terrorist groups. d. Israel would like to explore the possibility of combining a deal for the release of Gilad Shalit in a package for a cease-fire. During the cabinet meeting Sunday, Olmert said that Hamas is responsible for all activities in the Gaza Strip and that "the current reality there needs to change - either there will be calm or the State of Israel will act with such force that in the end there will be calm." Related articles: Police suspect money transferred to PM outside campaign season Ex-IDF Chief: Hezbollah rule in Lebanon may help Israel beat it Lebanon PM: Hezbollah did to Beirut what Israel didn't dare Bookmark to del.icio.us   A few good celebs Some of Hollywood's top guns congratulate Israel in a clip played in Times Square. Chosen, shmosen 'Religion is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions,' wrote Albert Einstein.   1.   Any chance olmert would take the hint? 05:39  |  Arie 12/05/08   2.   Israel should uproot Hamas once and for all. 07:16  |  Jean Van Daem 12/05/08   3.   There will not be a "cease-fire" without Gilad Shalit at home!!! 08:40  |  Natan Katzenelson 12/05/08   4.   #2 Mighty brave from your armchair, Jean.... 10:30  |  Johnboy 12/05/08   5.   #4 likkle johnyboyo you post from WHERE? 10:50  |  Ari ben Yisrael 12/05/08   6.   Olmert would be frightened to demand a meeting in Israel 14:11  |  Self Respect 12/05/08   7.   Mubarak might have to meet Olmert in a jail cell. 20:03  |  common sense 13/05/08   8.   A dictator and a thief are meeting. Ali Baba is offended! 00:51  |  Mahmood 14/05/08   9.   OLMERT OLMERT yet again....... 08:31  |  Dagma 14/05/08   10.   Mubarak should undersrand....... 08:40  |  Dolly 14/05/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: We owe the Palestinians a state Responses: 44 Editorial: Israel should go along with Egyptian efforts for Gaza calm Responses: 1 Akiva Eldar: Plan puts synagogue in heart of Arab East J'lem Send response Clip shows IDF officer shooting protester with rubber bullet at close range Responses: 14 Shmuel Rosner: Bush is trying to change the world, for the good Send response More Headlines 08:36 Two militants killed, two hurt in IAF strikes in Gaza 07:35 Israel to transfer security in Jenin area to Palestinians 07:37 Defense officials: Egypt to open Rafah, cease-fire or not 07:32 Police quiz U.S. tycoon Sheldon Adelson as part of Olmert probe 09:07 Clip shows IDF officer shooting protester with rubber bullet at close range 08:53 Shas official says gov't to okay hundreds of homes in W. Bank 08:43 Two Israelis found in China; 3 still missing since Mon. quake 06:15 Mazuz asked to explain plan for synagogue in East J`lem 03:15 MK Orlev wants to end former MK Bishara's retirement payments 05:17 Dennis Ross, Daniel Kurtzer slam Bush's Mideast policy 06:27 Israeli, Jordanian architects plan peace park in Naharayim 03:00 Welfare Min. launches plan for savings accounts for every Israeli kid Previous Editions Select Day 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may 06 may 05 may 04 may 02 may 01 may 30 apr

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