Barack Obama, US President, said, "My hope is that we are going to see not just movement from the Israelis but also from the Palestinians around issues of incitement and security, from Arab states that show their willingness to engage Israel. If all sides are willing to move off of the rut that we're in currently, then I think there is an extraordinary opportunity to make real progress but we're not there yet. I'm encouraged by some of the things that I'm seeing on the ground."
Before meeting with Obama, Mubarak said Egypt is also trying to unify the Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fatah.
Hosni Mubarak, Egyptian President, said, "We are trying to solve the problem between Hamas and the authorities in the West Bank because this is quite important. We should fill the gap because unless we reconcile their differences, there will not be stability there, and no stability even in Israel. Violence will recur."
Mubarak says an end to Jewish settlement activity was central to a resumption of Israeli-Palestinian talks. However, he added the negotiations should concentrate on an overall peace deal.
Mubarak says Arab countries are ready to help if the Israelis and Palestinians return to peace talks.
(CCTV August 19, 2009)
