Netanyahu invited to Egypt for official visit

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday for an official visit to the Egyptian Sinai resort of Sharm el-Sheik for talks.

Mubarak extended the invitation during a phone conversation with Netanyahu, in which he congratulated the prime minister on the formation of his new government.

The pair stressed the amicable relations between their countries and said they would continue, and even strengthen in the future. No date was set for the Sharm el-Sheik visit.

Netanyahu's bureau said the premier told Mubarak that, "There is supreme importance to peace between the two countries." He added that both states had an interest in strengthening that peace in order to counter threats to it.

A statement from the official Egyptian news agency on the conversation did not mention an invitation. It said Netanyahu called Mubarak and pledged to work for peace despite premeditated impressions, a reference to the new Israeli leader's past opposition to concessions to the Palestinians.

The invitation came after heightened diplomatic tensions between the neighboring states after Egypt's ambassador to Israel recently threatened to boycott a ceremony to mark the anniversary of the Israel-Egypt peace accord. He threatened to do so to protest the pending appointment to foreign minister of Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman.

Egypt has said it will boycott Lieberman, who is now foreign minister, unless he issues an official apology for past remarks, including telling Mubarak to "go to hell."