Egypt announces Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire plan

Sharm Al Shaikh, Egypt: Egypt said on Tuesday it was proposing an immediate ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza.

The move is to be followed by talks on long-term arrangements including an end to the blockade of Gaza.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak presented the proposal in a brief statement after talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in the Egyptian resort of Sharm Al Shaikh.

The proposal made no mention of many of the elements which diplomats said were under discussion, such as an international force to prevent Hamas receiving weapons.

Mubarak did not say what role Hamas would play in the talks he is proposing. Israel and the Europeans who have been active diplomatically do not talk to the Islamist group.

The Egyptian proposal, as read by Mubarak, contained the following points:

- Israel and the Palestinian factions should accept an immediate ceasefire for a limited period, which would allow safe passages to open for humanitarian aid to Gaza and give Egypt time to continue its efforts for a comprehesive and lasting ceasefire.

- Egypt would invite both Israel and the Palestinian side to an urgent meeting to reach arranagmetns and guarantees to ensure that the current escalation does not recur and deal with the causes, including protecting the border, reopening the crossing points and lifting the blockade.

- Egypt would again invite the Palestinian Authority and all Palestinian factions to respond to Egyptian efforts to achieve national reconciliation.