Sunday, July 26, 2009

Mitchell makes surprise trip to Egypt before returning to Israel for more talks

(Ynet).US Mideast envoy George Mitchell arrived in Jerusalem on Sunday for talks with Israeli officials – the first of four US officials set to visit this week. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also scheduled to meet Defense Secretary Robert Gates, National Security Adviser James Jones and top Iran and Mideast specialist Dennis Ross.

Meanwhile Sunday, the US Embassy in Tel Aviv said Mitchell would make a quick trip to Egypt before returning to Israel for more talks.

Embassy spokesman Kurt Hoyer said the envoy's trip to Cairo came at the request of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Mitchell was scheduled to visit Egypt on Tuesday.

It was not immediately known why Mubarak asked Mitchell to move up his visit,Hossam Zaki, Egypt's Foreign Ministry spokesman, said Mitchell was scheduled to meet with Mubarak and other officials Monday. Hoyer said Mitchell would return to Israel for talks with Israeli leaders on Monday.