Gary Fitleberg

Hosni Mubarak endorsed the Israeli plan to withdraw from the ancient biblical and modern Jewish territories of Gaza, Judea & Samaria (wrongly called "West Bank"), but said it's not enough.

"I hope it will be successful but that it will not be the last withdrawal," the Egyptian president told reporters Tuesday during a visit to Rome. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has announced a plan to pull Israeli troops and settlers out of Gaza and parts of the ancient biblical and modern Jewish territories of Judea and Samaria (wrongly called "West Bank") next year. The plan should be part of a wider move toward peace,

Mubarak said. Egypt has pledged to help train Palestinian Authority/Palestine Liberation Organization security services to take over in Gaza after Israel leaves.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2004 Gary Fitleberg