Clinton and Morsi meet in Cairo to agree Gaza ceasefire terms

Hillary Clinton and Mohammed Morsi Cairo – Akram Ali American Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, met with Egyptian President, Mohammed Morsi, in Cairo on Wednesday evening to discuss a resolution to the current crisis in Gaza. Although a ceasefire came into effect 9pm (Cairo time) on Wednesday, the two aimed to reach a beneficial understanding between Israel and the Hamas movement.
 Meanwhile, diplomats have told Arabstoday that Clinton’s visit is a strong signal by American President, Barack Obama, to Israel to de-escalate violence in Gaza, while also serving as a test for Clinton to determine whether she will remain in her post.
The American Secretary of State said: “This is a critical moment for the region. Egypt’s new government is assuming the responsibility and leadership that has long made this country a cornerstone of regional stability and peace. The United States welcomes the agreement today for a ceasefire in Gaza. For it to hold, the rocket attacks must end. The people of this region deserve the chance to live free from fear and violence.”
Speaking at a joint press conference held at the Presidential Palace in Cairo with her Egyptian counterpart Mohammed Kamel Amr following her meeting with President Mohammed Morsi, Clinton stressed the need to “focus on reaching a durable outcome that promotes regional stability and advances the security, dignity, and legitimate aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis alike.”
“President Morsi and I discussed how the United States and Egypt can work together to support the next steps in that process,” the US top diplomat said, stressing that “every step must move us toward a comprehensive peace for all the people of the region.”
“As I discussed today with President Morsi, as well as Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas,” Clinton added, “there is no substitute for a just and lasting peace.”
Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr read out a statement saying: “Under the auspices of His Excellency President Mohamed Morsi and stemming from Egypt’s historic responsibility towards the Palestinian cause and Egypt’s keenness to stop the bloodshed and preserving the stability of the conditions and security in the region, Egypt has exerted efforts and conducted intensive discussions since the renewed outbreak of hostilities in the Gaza Strip with all parties: the Palestinian leadership, the various resistance factions, the Israeli side, and the international community, most notably the United States of America.”
“These efforts and communications managed to reach an agreement to a ceasefire and the return of calm and halt of the violence and the bloodshed that was witnessed recently,” the statement went on.
“The ceasefire is set to start at 9pm Cairo time today,” Amr said.
The Egyptian diplomatic chief added that “Egypt affirms its commitment to the Palestinian cause and the need to achieve a comprehensive and just resolution. The Government of Egypt will continue its efforts to achieve this noble objective through ongoing attempts to end the divisions between the various Palestinian factions and to assist them in achieving Palestinian national unity on the basis of genuine Palestinian values and interests.”
He also expressed appreciation for the efforts made by Turkey, Qatar and the United nations.
The agreement signed by Hamas and Israel stipulates that the latter “shall stop all hostilities in the Gaza Strip land, sea and air, including incursions and targeting of individuals.”
As for Hamas and other groups, the agreement says “all Palestinian factions shall stop hostility from the Gaza Strip against Israel, including rocket attacks and attacks along the border.”
Other vital points in the agreement included: “Opening the crossings, facilitating the movement of people and transfer of goods, refraining from restricting residents' free movements and targeting residents in border areas. Procedures of implementation shall be dealt with after 24 hours from the start of the ceasefire.”
As for the implementation mechanism, the agreement was set to come into effect at midnight. The statement added: “Egypt shall receive assurances from each party that the party commits to what was agreed upon,” and also that “Each party shall commit itself not to perform any acts that would breach this understanding.”
“In case of any observations,” the agreement goes on, “Egypt as a sponsor of this understanding shall be informed to follow up.”
Mahmoud Shoukry, a member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs said: “No matter how powerful Israel is, it still can’t involve itself in new battles, especially with Egypt which supports the Palestinian cause and backs Hamas directly, now that the Muslim Brotherhood have taken over.”
Speaking exclusively to Arabstoday, the senior diplomat said that Hamas has been able to bring Egyptian forces on side and the US is certain of this - therefore seeks calm with Israel in order to preserve the peace treaty between the two countries and end escalation on all fronts.
“Clinton’s visit is a true test for her,” the ambassador added, “It could keep her in her current post without the American President Barack Obama needing to replace her and appoint someone else as she has previously announced.”
Clinton’s current visit, Shoukry said “represents a shift bythe administration towards a more active role in regional affairs,” while also heralding a new way in which the American President “will use the political control room afforded by a second term in office.”
Former Egyptian Ambassador in Washington, Hassan Haridi, said that Clinton’s visit to Egypt may be seen as “clear American endeavours at containing the current situation,” explaining that “the protection of Israel is currently one of the goals of American foreign policy.”
The visit, Haridi said, “Is a signal from Obama to Israel to de-escalate its campaign against Palestinian activists in the Gaza Strip.”
“The administration knows that with Obama there on the ground trying to resolve the crisis, it would be very difficult for Netanyahu to go ahead with his threat to invade Gaza,” he also said.
The former ambassador and ministerial assistant added that Clinton’s presence would add weight to Egypt’s attempts at reaching a ceasefire or lull agreement, enhancing the possibility of success. He also predicted that Clinton would highlight to the Muslim Brotherhood the importance of a return to calm and preserving the peace treaty with Israel so long as the other party holds up their end of it.