JERUSALEM: Israeli President Shimon Peres hailed his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak on Thursday 30 years after the two countries signed a landmark peace treaty.
President Shimon Peres spoke today with the president of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, offering his blessings and best wishes to the peoples of Israel and Egypt on the 30th anniversary of the signing of the peace agreement between the two countries, his office said in a statement.
Peres hailed Mubarak for his activities on behalf of peace and stability in the Middle East.
For years now you have stood steadfastly as a rock, unmovable from your position in support of peace, he said.
He acknowledged that the 30 years since Israeli Prime Minister Menahem Begin and Egyptian president Anwar Sadat signed the historic agreement on the White House lawn were not perfect but added that they were a thousand times better than a continuation of the conflict and war between us.
He thanked Mubarak for Egypt s mediation in efforts to obtain the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit who was captured in a deadly cross-border raid by Gaza Strip militants in June 2006.
Peres also spoke of the planned formation next week of a predominantly right-wing coalition in which the foreign affairs portfolio will go to Avigdor Lieberman, who once said Mubarak could go to hell if he persists in his refusal to visit Israel.
President Peres emphasized that according to the coalition agreements that have been signed, the new government will be obligated to pursue regional peace agreements with all of its neighbors, and to abide by all previous international agreements, the statement said. -AFP
