Highlighting the existing fraternal relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said his visit to the Kingdom comes within framework of the joint consultation and coordination with the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz about the crises and problems of the middle east in these critical circumstance being passed by the Arab region. In statements published today in Riyadh newspaper, Mubarak said the Saudi-Egyptian relations constitute the pillar of the joint Arab work. 'The Arab League constitutes an umbrella for the joint Arab work, and there is no way for the Arabs but to enhance their solidarity for confronting the challenges and crises', he said. He pointed out that the Arab foreign ministers have agreed on an Arab initiative as regards the presidential election in Lebanon, adding that 'this is the only initiative following the failure of several initiatives which have come from outside the region'. He hoped that the Palestinian and Israeli sides would reach a peace agreement within this year as promised by US President George w. Bush during his recent tour of the region. Mubarak said the efforts of his country in this respect aim at setting Israel before its responsibility in its capacity as an occupying force and at the same time his country is keen on drawing the attention of the quartet before its responsibility as regards following up negotiations with the Palestinian authority. Mubarak expressed sorrow over the deteriorating situation in Palestine and the existing dispute between Fatah and Hamas, and said such a dispute will have an adverse impact on the Palestinian cause. --more
