Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon are to meet to discuss the Middle East peace process after the hawkish Israeli premier has formed a new government.The two leaders agreed to meet during a phone call made by Mubarak to congratulate the re-elected Israeli leader, Sharon's office said in a statement Wednesday."Prime Minister Sharon thanked President Mubarak and the two discussed the need for the continuation of the Middle East peace process, and agreed to meet after the new government is established.

"Mr. Mubarak congratulated Sharon on his election victory, and both of them agreed that it is necessary to relaunch the peace process," government spokesman David Baker told AFP.

"Both also agreed to work together in the near future on this issue," he added.

Mubarak told Al-Ittihad newspaper in Dubai on Tuesday that he felt Arab governments had to "deal with the Israeli prime minister in a new way" in order to relaunch the Middle East peace process.

Speaking of Sharon's imminent re-election, the Egyptian leader said it would be "inopportune to stay quiet."

Egypt recalled its ambassador to Israel in November 2000 just after the start of the Palestinian uprising, or intifada, condemning what it termed as "excessive use of force" by the Israeli army in the Palestinian territories.

Since then relations between the two countries have been cool although Egypt has been trying to play the role of intermediary in the 28-month conflict.

Egypt has regularly received left-wing figures from the Israeli peace camp, but its contacts with Sharon and his right-wing government have been minimal.

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Hosni Mubarak