The official Egyptian newspaper Al Ahram reports that some 45 Palestinian Authority officers will depart for Egypt this week for military training in preparation for the Israeli withdrawal. The paper went on to say that Israel and Egypt have agreed to convene a joint military board to discuss Egyptian Coast Guard and Border Guard activities after Israel's retreat.



Egypt's Foreign Minister and Intelligence Chief will visit Jerusalem next month to discuss the details of Israel's withdrawal, the paper also reports.



Dr. Aaron Lerner of IMRA notes that this is the first time the Egyptian Coast Guard has been introduced into the talks. "It remains unclear to which areas/waters Israel is considering giving access to armed Egyptian boats," he writes.