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Egypt warns Islamic Jihad that suicide attacks helping Sharon

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Monday, December 16, 2002

LONDON Ñ Egypt has pressed Fatah and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire on suicide missions in Israel during the election campaign. The Palestinian insurgency groups were told by Egypt and the European Union, which sponsored the Fatah-Hamas talks, that attacks on civilian targets in Israel would strengthen the reelection prospects of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

The London-based Al Hayat said Egyptian officials succeeded in obtaining a commitment from the Iranian-backed Jihad for a respite in suicide missions during Palestinian reconciliation talks last week in Cairo. The talks included representatives from the ruling Fatah movement and the opposition Hamas regarding the Palestinian war against Israel.

Jihad has claimed responsibility for a series of suicide missions in November in northern Israel. The organization is said to have been bolstered over the last few months with funding from Iran and cooperation from the Lebanese-based Hizbullah.

Al Hayat reported on Sunday that a Jihad delegation, which did not include leader Ramadan Shalah, had requested to be included in the Fatah-Hamas talks. The newspaper said Egypt pledged to examine the request.

Fatah and Hamas met on Tuesday and Wednesday in a secret location in the Cairo area. The meeting site was secured by Egyptian security officers and contents of the session were not disclosed.

Earlier, Palestinian officials said Fatah and Hamas aim to reach agreement that would end all attacks on civilians. But they said the proposal was based on an Israeli pledge to end attacks on Palestinian insurgency leaders.

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