Egypt to help maintain security in Gaza after Israeli pullout

The report said that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak had told Sharon that Cairo was prepared to "send experts in all fields, notably security, to the Palestinian territories immediately to help the Palestinian Authority assume its responsibilities in the matter of security."

MENA said that Sharon had informed Mubarak of his latest plan for a staged withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and its Jewish settlements, which still faces an uncertain passage through the Israeli cabinet.

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He had asked Egypt to play "an effective role" in the operation, by helping "to install confidence between the two sides, notably in guaranteeing stability and security in the Gaza Strip and ending 'acts of violence and terrorism'", the report added.

Sharon singled out "the training and reorganisation of the Palestinian security services" and "strengthening cooperation between Israel and Egypt to ensure that their borders are safe."

Mubarak replied assuring Egypt's support for "any withdrawal from occupied Palestinian territories in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank as laid down in the roadmap aimed at establishing a Palestinian state."

He added that "after consultation with the Palestinian Authority, Egypt has said it is prepared to make every effort to assist the authority to fulfill its commitment with regard to the roadmap."