Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert joined President Shimon Peres  in swiftly apologizing to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak after right-wing Israeli lawmaker Avigdor Lieberman said the Egyptian leader could "go to hell" for not visiting Israel more than one.

Lieberman, who the AP story calls "one of Israel's most divisive politicians," made the stinging comment today on the floor of the Israeli parliament.

"If he wants to speak with us then let him come over here," said Lieberman. "If he doesn't want to come, then he can go to hell."

(The Reuters translation has Lieberman saying "get lost" instead of "go to hell.")

The comments sparked unusually swift and public apologies from Olmert and Peres.

Both Israeli leaders called Mubarak to personally apologize.

"I want to make clear that we have the highest respect for President Mubarak," Peres said in a special video statement. "He is a really stable leader for peace in the Middle East."

Olmert called Lieberman's comments "unnecessary and damaging."

Mubarak's government has been playing a central role in negotiations between Israel and Hamas over Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier who has been held by Gaza militants for more than two years.

It's not entirely clear why Olmert and Peres felt the need to be swift, public and adamant in denouncing Lieberman's remarks. Though the fact that they did suggests that there may be more going on behind-the-scenes to either get talks over Shalit going again or make some progress on regional peace talks...