Inside Report (4)

Why did Egypt suddenly send emissaries to Lebanon and Jordan?

Egypt is seeking to convince the two countries that talking peace at a distance will do them no good in getting Israeli troops out of Lebanon. The decision to send envoys to the two Arab states, which both severed ties with Egypt for its peace with Israel, was made after special US envoy Philip Habib briefed President Mubarak last week on the lack of progress in Lebanese-Israeli talks. Habib was also concerned about Jordan's unwillingness to respond firmly to Reagan's invitation for it to join peace talks.