Egyptian Minister Omar Suleiman started a visit to Israel on Monday12/5/2008 by holding talks with Israeli officials on truce with Palestinian factions.
Suleiman also held talks with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni ahead of his meeting with Olmert.
"We see our relationship with Egypt as one of the central foundations of regional stability, and a pillar of our foreign policy, and we are always eager to engage with the Egyptian government," Olmert's spokesman Mark Regev said.
Suleiman said he has high expectations on reaching a truce between the Palestinians and Israel.
Asked by reporters about his expectations, Suleiman held up his thumb in a gesture of optimism and replied in English: "High expectations." Barak said he hoped Suleiman's visit would "produce productive discussions."
In the Gaza Strip, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said he wished Suleiman a success and called on Israel to "respond positively to the Egyptian efforts and to lift the siege and open the (border) crossings."
In press statements, Haniyeh expressed hope that Omar Suleiman‘s visit to Israel would bear fruit.
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