Mubarak says Israel must rethink positions

SHARM-EL-SHEIK, Egypt, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Israel must rethink its positions and take action to reach a final accord with the Palestinians, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said.

Mubarak and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met at Sharm-el-Sheik Thursday.

The two leaders held a frank, friendly and lengthy discussion that focused on bilateral efforts to advance the diplomatic process, The Jerusalem Post said. Mubarak urged Israel to change course on issues that have stalled talks and take action to get the process started again, Mubarak's office said.

"I am going to speak with Mubarak about advancing the peace process and strengthening security," Netanyahu told Army Radio prior to meeting the Egyptian leader. "There are those who are trying to undermine the quiet, including various actors like Hamas and Hezbollah, but we won't let them," he said.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has refused to resume talks with Israel until a total freeze on construction in West Bank settlements and east Jerusalem is enforced.

At Sunday's cabinet meeting this week Netanyahu said: "We took many actions ... to move the peace process forward but the Palestinians did not even advance 1 millimeter despite the settlement freeze. The Palestinians entered talks only toward the end of the freeze and the only subject they wanted to discuss was an extension of the freeze."