Egypt plays basic role in backing up Arab negotiator

Osama Al Baz, the President's Political Advisor, says "Egypt plays a basic role in the peace process out of its keenness on maintaining good offices with a view to reaching peace agreements and arrangements and effecting a just and comprehensive peace by means of supporting the Arab negotiator".

He was also quoted by "Al Ahram" newspaper as saying "We advise Israel to respond to the Syrian willingness and Syrian President Hafez Al Assad is earnest in seeking to notch up peace".

He called upon the Palestinian leadership to carry on negotiations, reiterating that Egypt sides with the Palestinian negotiator by means of offering counsel and advice.

In other statements, Al Baz said technological advancement is the genuine challenge facing Egypt in the current phase.

Egypt is seeking to rope foreign investors to invest in Egypt in the realm of information technology, On the grounds that investments are not merely an injection of money but a principal contribution to the transfer of technology and improvement of administrative efficiency in Egypt.