JERUSALEM, June 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Wednesday he does not intend to allow Egypt to mediate between Israel and the Palestinians, local newspaper Ha'aretz reported on its website.

    However, Sharon was quoted as saying that he attaches great importance to talks with the Egyptians on their role in the Gaza Strip after Israel's planned withdrawal.

    The plan to disengage from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank would remain an unilateral plan, he added.

    The premier made the comments in meetings with Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom and military officials ahead of their meetings with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, who is visiting Jerusalem and Ramallah on Wednesday.

    Egypt is demanding that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) cease operations in the Gaza Strip as a precondition to deploying security advisers to the area, and has proposed that international forces be deployed at the Gaza port and airport after the IDF withdrawal. Enditem