The August 2008 cable reported a meeting between U.S. diplomats and
officials from the Israeli Defense Ministry, Middle East Newsline reported. The cable, released by
WikiLeaks on Feb. 7, asserted that the adviser to Israeli Defense Minister
Ehud Barak, David Chacham, conducted an early dialogue with Suleiman's
office in Cairo.
"He [Suleiman] would serve at least as interim president if Mubarak dies
or is incapacitated," U.S. diplomat Luis Moreno said in his report regarding
the Israeli assessment of Suleiman.
Since 2007, Suleiman was the most active Egyptian officials in
diplomatic and security efforts with both Israel and the Palestinian
Authority. Suleiman
was assigned such issues as border control as well as the reconciliation
between the PA and the opposition Hamas movement, which captured the Gaza
Strip in 2007.
The then-intelligence chief was also said to have led quiet efforts for
Egyptian-Israeli security cooperation. This included coordination between
the two countries in stopping the flow of weapons and infiltrators to Israel
and the Gaza Strip.
The cable disclosed Israel's assessment that Mubarak was physically
deteriorating. In a visit to Egypt in 2008, Mubarak appeared frail during
talks with Barak, who led a delegation to Cairo.
"He [Barak] was shocked by Mubarak's aged appearance and slurred
speech," the U.S. cable said.
Egypt and Israel also established what the cable termed a "hotline" for
direct communications. The hotline was ordered by Suleiman as part of
efforts to improve security cooperation with Israel.
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