Syria-Israel Peace Halts Damascus Backing of Hizbullah, Hamas
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said if France helped Syria reach peace with Israel, then Damascus would halt its backing of Hamas and Hizbullah.
"Israel would not accept a deal with Syria unless the latter halted its backing of Hamas and Hizbullah," Abul Gheit told the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat.
The wars between Hamas and Israel in Gaza and between Hizbullah and Israel in Lebanon "detonated" Arab conflicts.
"These two issues (Gaza-Lebanon) should be tackled to re-bond the Arabs along the lines of a peace path based on the Arab peace initiative," the chief of Egypt”s diplomacy said.
He expressed hope that the situation in Gaza would be defused and calmed down "before Feb. 22" when Palestinian factions are to meet in Cairo for reconciliation talks.
"Hamas needs to calm down the situation. This could be achieved in a week or three days or more," Abul Gheit added.