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Source: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-egypt-gaza5-2009feb05,0,427872.story
Much at Stake for Egypt in Palestinian-Israel Talks
[Los Angeles Times] Jeffrey Fleishman - Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman has been working to cement a lasting truce between Hamas and Israel, and to bring reconciliation between rival Palestinian parties. Cairo believes that hammering out a long-term cease-fire between Hamas and Israel and easing hostilities between the Palestinian camps will reaffirm its stature as the Obama administration is considering renewing nearly $2 billion in annual U.S. military and economic aid to Egypt. "Egypt...wants to say to the American administration, 'We are quite useful for Middle East peace'," said political analyst Mustafa Kamel Sayed. "Hamas officials in Gaza are realizing they have no other party to turn to except Egypt. No other Middle East country can play this role," he said.