Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak warned Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in a telephone conversation Tuesday night against the 'invasion of Al-Aqsa Mosque hurts Arabs' sentiments and damaging peace efforts. Mubarak also urged Israel to lift blockade imposed on Gaza Strip. Netanyahu on Tuesday night telephoned Mubarak, who told him that his latest moves may have dangerous implications. Mubarak warned against "the dangerous implications of the invasion of Al-Aqsa Mosque" and the inclusion of two mosques in the West Bank into the list of Jewish heritage sites, "as well as similar unfit stands which hurt the sentiments of Arabs and Muslims and damage the peace efforts." According to Egypt's official TV, the Israeli Prime Minister told Mubarak that his government expected to resume negotiations with the Palestinians without any delays and expected Egypt to continue supporting the peace efforts. Mubarak also stressed the need to prepare the right atmosphere for serious peace talks, as part of a defined time timetable. He also said that Israel must halt its activity in the West Bank and lift the blockade imposed the Gaza Strip. Egypt was the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1979.
