US/ Middle East - Clinton tour
Clinton meets Mubarak over Israel comments
Article published on the 2009-11-04 Latest update 2009-11-04 13:21 TU
Hosni Mubarak speaks with Hillary Clinton.
(Photo: Reuters)
In an interview with Al-Jazeera television, Clinton clarified her comments, which were made in a meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday.
“I think President Obama was absolutely clear. He wanted a halt to all settlement activity. Perhaps those of us who work with him and for him could have been clearer in communicating that that is his policy,” she said.
Egypt has previously been a key player in international discussions aimed at ending the Israel-Palestine conflict. Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said Cairo wanted to hear Clinton’s clarifications for her remarks.
In the meeting with President Mubarak, the Secretary of State spoke of the need to include the disputed city of Jerusalem in any further Middle East peace talks.
"There is no doubt that moving toward a state that reflects the aspirations and the rights of the Palestinian people must include all of the issues that have been discussed and mentioned by President Obama, and that includes Jerusalem," Clinton said at a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit.
"We want to assure you that our goal is a real state, with a real sovereignty.
"Nothing can interfere with our commitment and our resolve to move forward, and there are impediments, yes, but we cannot let anything deter us."
Israeli settlements in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem are home to around 500,000 people and are considered illegal in the international community.
