Last week, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak masqueraded around Washington puffing up his chest as a major broker in the Middle East peace process. In interviews, he accentuated his role in attempting to forge an agreement to renew Israel-Palestinian peace talks, to secure the release of abducted IDF soldier GiladShalit, and broker reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas.
Mubarak intends on fixing the latter of these issues by this time next month. The Egyptian leader gave an ultimatum to Fatah and Hamas officials to solve their dispute by September 25, according to reports. Because of the lack of Palestinian unity, PA officials repeatedly postponed elections until the groups come to a resolution. Furthermore, the peace process cannot effectively move forward until the Palestinians resolve their internal disputes in order to negotiate with one voice. Mubarak threatened to involve the Arab league in the event that no deal is reached regarding Fatah-Hamas reconciliation.
On Gilad Shilat, some reports indicate that Israeli and Hamas officials could reach a deal could shortly. Key Hamas officials travelled to Cairo for Egyptian-brokered negotiations, signalling a renewal in hope that the terror group will free Shalit in exchange for its prisoners held in Israel. Similarly, other reports suggested that the relocation by Israeli of a key prisoner represents preparations for a prisoner swap (see a previous blog entry). However, every few months similar reports arise with no results.
Up until now, all three initiatives pursued by Egypt have effectively failed. U.S. efforts to renew the Israel-Palestinian peace process seem on the verge of actualization. Freeing Gilad Shalit or achieving Palestinian unity may prove that Egyptian leverage is as strong as Mubarak claims.
Flag taken from IMEMC.
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