(Ha'aretz) Gideon Alon - Military Intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Aharon Ze'evi Farkash told the Knesset committee Tuesday that Egypt sees the stationing of 750 border guards as the first step in a more widespread deployment along the Egyptian-Israeli border. He said the agreement would allow them to be equipped with light arms and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. A security source said Monday he expects the agreement with Egypt to be signed within two weeks. He said the Israel Defense Forces would not withdraw from the Philadelphi route before it assesses the effectiveness of the Egyptian force after it has been stationed there for "at least a few months." The source said Israel would continue to insist that Egypt take full responsibility for preventing smuggling between Egypt and Gaza.
2005-07-06 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive