Special report: Israel launches Gaza assault

    GAZA, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- A senior Islamic Jihad (Holy War) leader said on Wednesday his movement doesn't welcome visits by American officials to the region.

    Naffez Azzam told reporters in Gaza that "the U.S. doesn't wish good for the Palestinians," adding that the U.S. vision "has suffered a big shake in Lebanon in the last two months."

    Azzam made the remarks in response to the visit by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to the region in a bid to push the peace process. Rice is scheduled to meet separately Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas with members of his Fatah party.

    On Tuesday, Rice met in Cairo with a number of Arab foreign ministers who voiced hope over U.S. proposals to push the peace process. But Azzam dismissed the American ideas.

    "This is untrue," said Azzam, adding that "America doesn't have any political project that allowing anyone to claim that Rice's visit comes as part of efforts to push the so-called peace process."

    For Azzam, Rice's tour came "to hit stability in the region, boost tension between Arabs, breaking them up and gathering Arab support against Iran's nuclear program." Enditem