Lifting the Gaza siege 'still on Morsi’s agenda'

The Egyptian ambassador to Palestine, Yasser Othman, confirmed on Monday that Egypt’s intention to lift the Gaza siege completely is still on the new President’s agenda. “It is an Egyptian duty,” he said.

Speaking about facilitating the movement of Gaza residents and the soft entrance of solidarity delegations through the Rafah Crossing, Othman said: “These procedures are practical proofs for the positive attitude of Egypt’s President Mohammed Morsi who promised to lift the Gaza siege completely.”

Othman denied news reports in Israel that Egypt has changed its stance towards the Gaza siege after the visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Cairo. He confirmed the strong and clear support of the new Egypt to Palestine and its people.

A spokesman for Morsi denied that he had promised Mrs Clinton not to lift the Gaza siege. He said that his discussions with the Secretary of State did not mention this topic at all, and noted that Morsi pledged to lift the siege and support Palestinian reconciliation when he met Tunisia’s President Moncef Marzouki.