Egypt, Jordan talk peace in Israel

JERUSALEM, July 25 (UPI) -- Foreign ministers from Egypt and Jordan met with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem on Wednesday to discuss a Palestinian peace plan.

Egypt's Ahmed Abul Gheit and Jordan's Abdelelah al-Khatib met with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik, the Jerusalem Post reported.

Gheit said he was representing only Egypt, and not the 22-member Arab League, whose February 2002 peace plan calls for Israel to withdraw from all territories taken in the Six Day War, including east Jerusalem, and the return to Israel of Palestinian refugees and their descendents. In turn, Israel would have normal relations with the Arab countries.

Meanwhile, diplomatic sources in Jerusalem told the Post the Saudis have distanced themselves recently because Hamas and Fatah broke an agreement the Saudis crafted in Mecca earlier this year to form a unity Palestinian government.