Egypt | PLACE

SHARM EL SHEIKH, EGYPT - JANUARY 4: In this handout image supplied by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) attends a meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on January 4, 2010 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The two leaders discussed how to progress the Palestine/Israel peace process.

An Egyptian soldier guards the Egyptian side of the border where Egypt has started installing a barrier meant to stop smuggling goods and weapons to Gaza, as seen from Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010. The steel barrier is meant to slice through hundreds of smuggling tunnels under the 14-kilometer-long (nine-mile) Gaza-Egypt border. Once completed, it would cut off the blockaded territory's last lifeline and could increase pressure on Gaza's Hamas rulers to moderate.

Metal slabs lay on the ground on the Egyptian side of the border where Egypt has started installing a barrier meant to stop smuggling goods and weapons to Gaza, as seen from Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010. The steel barrier is meant to slice through hundreds of smuggling tunnels under the 14-kilometer-long (nine-mile) Gaza-Egypt border. Once completed, it would cut off the blockaded territory's last lifeline and could increase pressure on Gaza's Hamas rulers to moderate.

Iranian activist Maniseh Saba, right, who is on day seven of her hunger strike, and an American activist of "Gaza Freedom Marchers", display slogans supporting Gaza, in front of Egyptian anti-riot policemen during a protest in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010. The hunger strike and protest marks one year since the Israeli invasion of Gaza.

Iranian activist Maniseh Saba, left, who is on the seventh day of her hunger strike, as "Gaza Freedom Marchers" display slogans supporting the people of Gaza, in front of Egyptian anti-riot policemen during a protest in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010. The hunger strike and protest marks one year since the Israeli invasion of Gaza.

Iranian activist Maniseh Saba, with face mask, center left, who is on day 7 of her hunger strike, joined by "Gaza Freedom Marchers" display slogans supporting Gaza, in front of Egyptian anti-riot policemen during a protest in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010. The hunger strike and protest marks one year since the Israeli invasion of Gaza.

In this photo released by the Palestinian Authority, Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak, right, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, meet at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010. The Palestinian president stuck by his demand Monday for a complete halt in West Bank settlement building before resuming peace talks with Israel.

In this photo released by the Jordan Royal Palace, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, left, receives King Abdullah II of Jordan, right, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.

A protester helps others setup a makeshift wall during a demonstration by Islamic groups to protest against Egypt's border barrier with the southern Gaza Strip, in front the Egyptian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010. Egypt is installing a series of metal sheets deep along the Gaza border to block tunnels used to smuggle weapons into the Palestinian territory.

A protester holds a symbolic piece of metal wall with a placard written in Arabic:"What is on your consciences Egyptian leaders?", during a protest held by the Islamic groups against Egypt's border between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip, in front the Egyptian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday Jan. 3, 2010. Egypt is installing a series of metal sheets submerged along the Gaza border to block tunnels used to smuggle weapons into the Palestinian territory.

Children with tape over their mouths, protest against Egypt's border barrier between Egypt and southern of Gaza Strip, during a demonstration in front the Egyptian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday Jan. 3, 2010, with placards written in Arabic, at front centre, "Hey Arabs, stop killing the innocents on your metal wall, and front right, reading "From Lebanese children to Gaza children, be patient the victory is soon". Egypt is installing a series of metal sheets, submerged along the Gaza border to block tunnels used to smuggle weapons into the Palestinian territory.

A protester chants slogans against Egyptian leaders during a protest held by the Islamic groups against Egypt's border barrier between Egypt and southern of Gaza Strip, in front the Egyptian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday Jan. 3, 2010. Egypt is installing a series of metal sheets buried along the Gaza border to block tunnels used to smuggle weapons into the Palestinian territory.

Protesters, set a metal wall during a demonstration held by various Islamic groups against Egypt's border barrier between Egypt and southern Gaza Strip, in front the Egyptian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday Jan. 3, 2010. Egypt is installing a series of metal sheets submerged along the Gaza border to block tunnels used to smuggle weapons into the Palestinian territory.

A protester shouts religious slogans, as he stands next a symbolic metal wall during a protest held by various Islamic groups against Egypt's border between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip, in front the Egyptian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday Jan. 3, 2010. Egypt is installing a series of metal sheets submerged along the Gaza border to block tunnels used to smuggle weapons into the Palestinian territory.

Demonstrators shout slogans against Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak during protest by Islamic groups against Egypt's border barrier between Egypt and southern of Gaza Strip, in front the Egyptian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday Jan. 3, 2010. Egypt is installing a series of metal sheets buried along the Gaza border to block tunnels used to smuggle weapons into the Palestinian territory.

Children with tape over their mouths, protest against Egypt's border barrier between Egypt and southern of Gaza Strip, during a demonstration in front the Egyptian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday Jan. 3, 2010, with placards written in Arabic, at left, "Hey Arabs, stop killing the innocents on your metal wall, and right, reading "From Lebanese children to Gaza children, be patient the victory is soon". Egypt is installing a series of metal sheets along the Gaza border to block tunnels used to smuggle weapons into the Palestinian territory.

A Palestinians wait to cross the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010. Egypt has largely kept the crossing closed since the Islamic militant group Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in June 2007.

Jordanian demonstrators step on a picture of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak during a protest against Egypt's border between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip, in front the Egyptian embassy in Amman, Jordan, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010. Egypt is installing a series of metal sheets submerged along the Gaza border to block tunnels used to smuggle weapons into the Palestinian territory. AP Photo/Nader Daoud).

Palestinian protesters gather during a demonstration against Egypt's border barrier between Egypt and southern of Gaza Strip, in Rafah, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010. Egypt is installing a series of metal sheets deep along the Gaza border to block tunnels used to smuggle weapons into the Palestinian territory. The smuggling has continued after Israel's offensive in Gaza last winter.

Palestinian protesters gather during a demonstration against Egypt's border barrier between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip, in Rafah, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010. Egypt is installing a series of metal sheets deep along the Gaza border to block tunnels used to smuggle weapons into the Palestinian territory. The smuggling has continued after Israel's offensive in Gaza last winter.