"Egypt is the only country in the region that is preparing for the possibility of a military confrontation with Israel," MK Yuval Steinitz, chairman of the Knesset´s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, told Haaretz yesterday.

Earlier at a committee meeting, Steinitz said that "despite the temporary improvement in the geo-political situation in our region, there are certain processes working against us and therefore I am not optimistic."

He cited the ability of countries like Syria and Egypt to deploy long- range missiles that could reach any point in Israel, and said he believed the ability of those countries to strike at the heart of the country could complicate the call-up of Israel Defense Forces reservists.

"Their ability to strike at air bases at the start of a confrontation concerns me, and therefore we must develop tactical missiles," he said. "It is cardinal mistake not to have done so earlier."

The meeting, attended by Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Halutz, dealt with building the strength of the armed forces.

Shinui leader Yosef Lapid said that since Iraq no longer posed a threat to Israel, it should be possible to cut down on the tank corps. (© Copyright 2005 Haaretz. 02/01/05)