Hoon lauds Egypt's role in combating terrorism
Egypt-UK, Politics, 11/7/2001

British Secretary of State for Defence Geoffrey Hoon said he discussed with President Hosni Mubarak on Tuesday the international campaign against terrorism and the Middle East peace process.

In a press conference at the British embassy in Cairo, Hoon said his visit to Egypt is meant to get acquainted with Egypt's vision towards the current events and to explain the policies adopted by Britain, especially in backing the US in the military attacks on Afghanistan.

Our commitment to Afghanistan will not end, however, when the threat from Al-Qaeda has been eliminated.

We are committed to the people of Afghanistan through our contribution to humanitarian operations and our commitment to the creation of a representative government for Afghanistan once the conflict is ended, he stressed.

Asked on how far Egypt is committed to the international alliance and reports that Egypt is not committed enough, Hoon said Egypt backs the international campaign on terrorism, adding that there is cooperation between Egypt and Britain in the field of exchanging information.

Egypt has played the role required from it in this international campaign on terrorism, he added.

Asked on Britain's giving shelter to the terrorists who were convicted in Egypt and other states, he said Britain does not protect terrorists and that it will never allow them to stay.

Egypt has suffered a lot from terrorism and has been successful in fighting terrorism, hoon said, adding that Britain is determined to firmly deal with the terror operations inside the UK and abroad.

Asked on how far the Afghan people were affected by the military attacks, he stressed that the military campaign is not targeting the Afghan people, adding that Britain is spending millions of dollars to aid the Afghans.

He denied reports by Taliban that the military attacks have been targeting civilians.

He said all the attacks are meticulously carried out against the military of taliban, adding that the targets that have been hit were all military.

Asked on Israeli state terrorism, Hoon said when president Mubarak and Blair met, they underlined the importance of achieving progress to restore Palestinian' rights.

Hoon added that Blair will visit the United States on Wednesday and that he will urge it to play a more effective role to resume the peace process in the region.

"There will be no stability in the region unless all acts of violence come to and end," Hoon said.

Previous Stories:
  Al Azhar Grand Imam receives British Ambassador   (11/5/2001)
  Mubarak-Blair discuss issues   (10/11/2001)
  British businessmen trust Egypt's economy   (8/27/2001)

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