Monday 03 January 2005, 10:25 Makka Time, 7:25 GMT
Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu al-Ghait speaking on Egyptian radio on Monday : "The aim Egypt is working for is to restore confidence and calm so that the Palestinian people in all of the Gaza Strip can take part in a legitimate election process under international supervision" and "That can be achieved only by complete Israeli withdrawal from the areas Israeli forces have occupied since 28 September 2000 (the eve of the intifada)."
He also said that the presence of Israeli forces in the Gaza strip was a "provocation".
Il Romanaccio at 6:31 PM