CAIRO, February 22, 2007 (WAFA) - Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit Thursday expressed hope that the isolation imposed by the international community on the Palestinians will be overcome after the formation of the unity government.

In a press release issued after Abul-Gheit's meeting with Japan's special envoy for the Middle East peace process Tatsu Arima, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said the Japanese envoy reasserted his country's support for the Palestinian cause.

Abul-Gheit expected that Japan would continue supporting the Palestinian economy to help the PNA overcome its current difficulties and relieve the suffering of the Palestinian people, according to the release.

He hailed Japan's endeavor to know how to contribute to efforts to restore confidence between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

On the efforts formation of a new Palestinian government, Abul-Gheit said Egypt supported the effort to prevent the return to Palestinian infighting and the government that could reflect the desire of the Palestinian people for peace, the release added.

A.D (20: 46 P) (16:46 GMT)