CAIRO (AP) — Egypt's president says Israeli construction in east Jerusalem could end up angering not just the Palestinians, but the entire Muslim world.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (HAHS'-nee moo-BAH'-rahk) met with his Israeli counterpart today. He told President Shimon Peres (shee-MOHN' PEHR'-ehs) that the time has passed for temporary solutions and borders, urging that a final peace agreement be concluded swiftly.
The tough words follow Israel's announcement last week that it plans to build 900 new apartments in a Jewish neighborhood of east Jerusalem.
The Palestinians have refused to restart peace talks if there isn't a total halt in Israeli settlement building in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.
Peres told reporters that the new settlement activity would end "the minute" negotiations start and unauthorized settlements would be dismantled.
Israel captured the territory in the 1967 war. The Palestinians now claim the areas for a future independent state.
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<<APPHOTO XAN109 (11/22/09)>>
: Journalists raise their hands as Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, right, looks at Israeli President Shimon Peres during a press conference at the Presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009. Talks come within the framework of efforts aimed at reviving the Middle East peace process.
<<APPHOTO XAN110 (11/22/09)>>
: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak smiles during a press conference with Israeli President Shimon Peres, not pictured, at the Presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009. Talks come within the framework of efforts aimed at reviving the Middle East peace process.
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