Pope John Paul in Cairo stress just Middle East peace

Pope John Paul II has expressed his hope that good intentions will prevail in the Middle East to achieve justice and peace to be attained by the peoples of the region.

During a speech he made on Thursday upon his meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, The pope said he will pray at Saint Catherine Monastery on Sinai mountain in order to maintain peace and justice.

He stressed the importance of giving up violence and hatred and commended the national unity in Egyptian society.

President Mubarak welcomed the Pope, noting the pontiff's key role in defending peace and contributing to making it in the region.

The pope arrived in Cairo earlier in the day in a visit which lasted for three days marking his tour of the region.

The Vatican's foreign minister, Jan Loy Touran, has asserted the need for Israel to honor the principles of the peace process which were launched from Madrid on the grounds of international legitimacy resolutions and the land-for-peace formula.

Touran said on Thursday that settling the question of Jerusalem should be made according to international legitimacy. He stressed his opposition to unilateral measures concerning Jerusalem and the need to preserve the united cultural and religious nature of the city