SANA-25
Israeli Defence Minister meets Musharraf in Paris; FO denies
TEL AVIV, Jan 24 (SANA): An unusual meeting took place Tuesday evening at the lobby of the luxurious Hotel Raphael in Paris, between Israel Defense Minister Ehud Barak and President, General Pervez Musharraf, bumped into each other and had a short conversation.
According to an Israeli website y net news, the two leaders, who are visiting France these days, are staying in the same hotel. As Barak arrived at the hotel, his entourage ran into that of Musharraf, who was leaving for a meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
However, the Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq termed the website's claim as baseless and said that President Musharraf did not meet any Israeli official.
Barak took advantage of the opportunity, approached Musharraf and introduced himself: "I am the State of Israel's defense minister." The Pakistani leader nodded to signal that he had recognized the Israeli minister.
"We support your people and back you due to your significance in securing world peace," Barak said. Musharraf placed his hand on Barak's shoulder and replied, "Thank you very much. God willing, I hope you will make progress in the peace process."
The two leaders exchanged greetings and handshakes and parted as friends, according to the report on the website.
The Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq, when contacted on Thursday, said that there was no truth whatsoever in the news item that Musharraf held informal meeting with Israeli Defence Minister. "Musharraf did not meet with any Israeli official," he clarified.
|