Egypt planning to guard Israeli border

JERUSALEM, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Egypt is expected to deploy 700 soldiers along the Egyptian-Israeli border to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza and to tighten security.

Defense Ministry sources told The Jerusalem Post of the deployment following a meeting between Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz.

The introduction of these forces, which is precluded under the Israel-Egyptian peace treaty of 1979, will necessitate an exchange of letters stipulating agreement that this can take place.

The two sides also agreed Egypt, in an effort to help the Palestinians control Gaza after Israel's withdrawal, will train Palestinian police from Gaza, the Jerusalem Post said.