Israel asks Egypt for Gaza help

Silvan Shalom called for better relations with Arabs

Israel's Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom has asked Egypt to help ensure the Gaza Strip does not come under the control of radicals after Israel withdraws.

Israel fears militant groups like Hamas could become the dominant force when it pulls out of Gaza later this year.

Mr Shalom asked Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to help Israel improve its relations with the Arab world.

Speaking in Cairo, he also announced that a deal would soon be agreed for Egypt to supply gas to Israel.

The BBC's James Reynolds in Jerusalem says Egypt is one of Israel's few friends in the region, and its co-operation over the Gaza disengagement plan is vital.

'Unique influence'

Israel is planning to pull all its 8,000 settlers from Gaza, along with the troops that protect them, and to turn over internal control to Palestinian authorities.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the two governments were still discussing the terms under which Egyptian border guards will move up to the frontier with Gaza and southern Israel, and mount patrols there.

Mr Shalom said Egypt could help influence Gaza's internal affairs after the withdrawal.

"I asked the president to exercise his unique authority and influence to help ensure that it is the moderates on the Palestinian side who set the agenda and not the extremists," he said.

'New roadmap'

He also appealed for help in establishing better links with neighbouring Muslim countries.

"Israel and Egypt have much to gain from enhancing the relationship between Israel and all its Middle East neighbours," he said.

He called for a "new roadmap" working towards full diplomatic relations with Israel's neighbours - but made clear this was not meant to replace the roadmap covering the peace process with the Palestinians.

Meanwhile, Israel was "in the final stages" of negotiating a deal for Egyptian gas supplies, Mr Shalom said.

Talks to buy Egyptian gas opened in 2000, but broke down as the Palestinian intifada strained relations between the two sides.

There has been a revival in relations between the two countries this year, as the Israeli-Palestinian peace process has restarted.