Summit almost took place in Sharm el-Sheikh

The diplomatic summit that began yesterday in Washington was originally due to be held in the Sinai Peninsula resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, a spokesman for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said yesterday.

The spokesman, Suleiman Awad, said U.S. President Barack Obama had asked the Egyptian leader to host the event, but Mubarak replied he would want to invite leaders representing the Quartet of Mideast peacemakers - the United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia - not just the leaders of the United States, Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Referring to Israel's desire to retain troops on the Jordanian border, Awad said, "Israel can forget about its army being in the Jordan Valley after a peace agreement. Such an agreement would mean ending the occupation, and it's unthinkable that an occupation force would continue to remain on the ground."

He added, however, that the PA has shown flexibility on the issue and might be amenable to an Arab, Muslim or international force along that border.

Awad said his government wants final-status borders addressed before any other major issue. (Zvi Bar'el )