CAIRO, July 23 (UPI) -- The head of the interim military government in Egypt said Saturday the country will abide by agreements with Israel made by the ousted regime.
Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi said the government will also try to develop stronger ties with Arab states, while continuing to assist peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported. He said Egypt should play a major role in the Middle East and Africa.
Tantawi said the government will respect the treaty signed in 1979 between Israel and Egypt.
Elections in Egypt are now scheduled for September. The military council has been in charge since President Hosni Mubarak was forced out of office in February following weeks of protests.
Protesters impatient with the slow progress of reform have returned to Tahrir Square. A new Cabinet was sworn in this week that includes 13 members who served under Mubarak.
Mubarak, 83, is scheduled to be tried next month. Charges include corruption and ordering the use of deadly force against protesters.
