Cairo - Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak said on Tuesday that Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, held captive and incommunicado in the Gaza Strip since 2006, is safe. He added that he hopes the question of Shalit's safe return to Israel can be resolved soon.
"Palestinians want peace and Israelis want peace, so we should be serious in the peace process," Mubarak said during a joint press conference with his Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres, who arrived in Cairo earlier on Tuesday.
Shalit was captured by Hamas in June 2006, and has been used as a bargaining chip in its negotiations with Israel ever since. Rumours of his possible imminent release have surfaced at various times, along with questions as to whether or not he is still alive.
Egypt has been mediating between Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, for a prisoner swap. Shalit's release could pave the way for Israel to consider such a swap.
Mubarak added that solving the Palestinian issue is a priority for Egypt and the Arab world and that the Palestinian issue is key to peace, security and stability of the Middle East region.
Another question pertains to Israeli policy maintenance and expansion of its settlements in the West Bank, a particularly sensitive issue for Palestinians.
"We have no intentions to expand settlements," said Peres.
However, despite US demands for ending settlement expansion, Israel recently announced a plan to build 1,450 apartments in the occupied West Bank, 50 of which have received final approval for construction to begin.
"We truly want to reach peace ... We want to be partners in the peace process in the Middle East," Peres added.
