Reply #1: Egypt sends weapons through Israel

[cali]

By AMY TEIBEL, Associated Press Writer
51 minutes ago



JERUSALEM - Egypt has sent a large shipment of weapons through Israeli territory to shore up forces loyal to the embattled Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli security officials said Thursday — an extraordinary show of support by both countries for his efforts to renew peacemaking with Israel.

Israel approved the transfer of 2,000 automatic rifles, 20,000 ammunition clips and 2 million bullets on Wednesday, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the shipment had not been officially confirmed by Israel, the Palestinians or Egypt.

Abbas, locked in a power struggle with anti-Israel Hamas militants, has long sought to strengthen the arsenal available to security services under his control.

Israel initially balked at letting additional weapons through, for fear they would be used against Israelis.

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061228/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_palestinians_62