Mubarak receives Boutros Ghali

Egypt Ambassador to France Ali Maher, and the Dean of the Arab Diplomatic Corps in the French capital, attended the meeting.

Ghali said they reviewed the Francophone Organization's activities since May meeting that was attended by the secretaries general of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Countries.

On the coming activities of the organization, he said La Francophone will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the establishment of Singhor University in Alexandria and will hold its summit in Beirut next year.

On the role La Francophone could play in the Middle East peace process, Ghali, the former UN Secretary General, and Egypt's veteran, said the organization was not asked to play such a role.

Its activities are usually limited to the service of its member-states, he added.

He said he discussed Middle East peace developments with President Mubarak.

Regarding President Jacques Chirac's recent remarks that peace was possible in the near future, Ghali expressed hope that a permanent, just and comprehensive peace is realized.

La Francophone position on Jerusalem is that of international legitimacy resolution, and whenever the organization holds a summit, it issues a statement to affirm its support for UN resolutions, he added.

On the settlement of the emotive issue of Jerusalem, the present key stumbling block to a final settlement, Ghali said: "We hope the two sides (Palestinians and Israelis) can carry out further negotiations to reach a solution to this basic issue."