Egypt's Foreign Minister, Amr Mussa, has urged the United States to exert more pressure on Israel to honour its commitments under the interim peace accord reached with the Palestinians in October.

Mr Mussa was speaking to journalists in Cairo after talks between President Hosni Mubarak and the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat.

Mr Mussa accused Israel of obstructing implementation of the deal -- brokered by President Clinton -- even before early elections were called.

He said the elections should not be allowed to serve as an excuse for foot-dragging.