Biden in Egypt after flotilla attack

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=129352§ionid=3510203



Amid high tensions over an Israeli attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, US Vice President Joe Biden arrives in Egypt, which together with Israel has imposed a blockade on Gazans.

Biden, who is heading a delegation of senior US officials, is scheduled to hold talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Monday in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

The visit comes a week after Israeli naval forces attacked the Freedom Flotilla in international waters more than 150km off the coast of Gaza. The convoy was carrying food and medical supplies to the besieged Gaza Strip.

Nine international activists are reported to have been killed and 40 others injured in the incident.

Despite the international community's outrage over the attack, the White House has so far declined to condemn Tel Aviv for the offensive.

Earlier on Wednesday, Biden put on a show of support for Israel and told PBS television that "Israel has an absolute right to deal with its security interest."

However, the US vice president added that Washington would continue to pressure Israel to allow aid shipments into the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile one day after the Israeli attack, Egypt -- which has been assisting Israel in imposing a three-year-long blockade on Gaza -- opened the Rafah border crossing to allow humanitarian assistance into the impoverished enclave.

Earlier on Sunday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said Israel should be "ashamed of itself" for the deadly attack, warning that the incident could hamper the so-called Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.

After his two-day visit, Biden will leave Egypt for Kenya and attend the opening ceremony of the Football World Cup in South Africa on Friday.