Egypt Turns Down Salehi's Call For Gaza Visit Due To Israeli Pressure

Beirut, Dec 23, IRNA – Former Mossad chief Ephraim Halevy says Egypt has turned down Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi's request for Gaza visit due to Israel's pressure. In an interview, Halevy said Egypt has twice rejected Salehi's call for the visit. Halevy pointed to confidential talks with Egypt and said new agreement with Egypt on Gaza will be announced after the Knesset elections early 2013. He said Egypt plays a pivotal role in the talks and Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi would oversees all phases of talks. The Zionist official commented on recent visit of Hamas political bureau chief Khalid Mashal to Gaza and said had it not been for Israel's agreement, the visit would have never taken place as Iran's Foreign Minister was not permitted to enter Gaza. He referred to bilateral talks with Russia on Syria and said Zionists are worried about Iran's diplomatic success. "Iran's involvement in efforts to solve the Syrian crisis is not acceptable to us." The Zionist daily Jerusalem Post in its latest publication referred to secret talks between Egypt and the Zionist regime on Gaza, writing that the talks were in line with gradual lifting of Gaza blockade and preventing the military strengthening of Hamas Movement./end