Israel, Egypt Discuss Security Ahead of Gaza Withdrawal.

By VOA News & IsraelNationalNews.com

A top Israeli official has met with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleimon to discuss security arrangements ahead of Israeli plans to withdraw from the Gaza Strip. The head of political security for Israel's Defense Ministry, Amos Gilad, traveled

Egypt has offered to send 200 security experts to train Palestinian security forces after the Israeli withdrawal. But Suleimon has given Palestinians two months to complete security reforms or lose Egypt's help. Israel's cabinet has approved in principle the plan for a full withdrawal from Gaza and from a few West Bank settlements by the end of 2005.

Egypt demanded a Palestinian Authority airport, seaport, and land-passage from Gaza to Hebron before it would cooperate with Israel on the Gaza withdrawal. It was widely reported that Suleimon told the visitors that it was a high-priority Egyptian interest to bring about an end to arms smuggling between Egypt and Gaza.

Receiving somewhat less coverage was Suleimon's added clarification that Egypt would only agree to cooperate with the plan if Israel allowed the PA to re-open the Dahaniya airport, build a seaport, and re-open the "safe passage" across the northern Negev between Gaza and the Hebron area.

Suleimon, one of the leading candidates to succeed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak as Egypt's Chief of State, made these statements to Yachad party leader Yossi Beilin and the other visitors.