Egypt’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said Cairo was ready to help train Palestinian security services but only if Israel withdraws from the occupied territories, in remarks published Friday.
"Palestine needs our help in rebuilding its security forces and we are ready to help in this question," Maher said, in an interview with Al-Hayat.
He added that this help "could not happen unless Israel withdraws from the occupied territories," distancing himself from comments by United States Secretary of State Colin Powell, who said some Arab states would help reform security service but did not link this to a prior Israeli withdrawal.
"It is necessary for Israel to start withdrawing. The more there is withdrawal, the more we will train Palestinian forces," Maher explained, saying this training could not happen under conditions of occupation.
Moreover, he said Egypt wanted guarantees from Israel to "respect this security force and not undermine it as was done in the past." (Albawaba.com)
