Israeli military official in Egypt for security discussions

Sep 12, 2011, 12:14 GMT

Cairo - A senior Israeli military official arrived in Cairo Monday to discuss security developments in Egypt and along the country's Sinai border.

Airport sources told the German Press Agency dpa that Amir Eshel, Head of the Planning Unit in Israel's army will meet Egyptian security officials to discuss developments in joint investigations into the recent killing of five Egyptian policemen on the Israeli border.

The five were killed during an Israeli assault, allegedly targeting Palestinian militants, on August 19.

Thousands of people in the southern city of Luxor on Monday also attended the funeral of a sixth policeman, who died Sunday from injuries sustained during the border assault.

The Israeli and Egyptian officials were also to discuss other steps to guarantee security along the Sinai border.

The meeting came one day after another senior official arrived from Tel Aviv to discuss security assurance plans that pave the way for the return of Israeli Ambassador Yitzhak Levanon, who left the country Saturday after protesters managed to storm the Israeli embassy in Cairo.

Egyptians remain angry at the ruling military council for ignoring popular demands to expel the Israeli ambassador from Egypt.

Instead, Egypt's leadership arrested dozens involved in embassy protests, intensified the application of emergency law and security presence around the embassy, and has committed to maintain normal diplomatic relations with Israel.

The current crisis is the worst between Egypt and Israel since they signed their peace treaty in 1979.

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