Chance available to resume peace process

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak Wednesday morning received at the presidency headquarters the European union official in charge of security and foreign relations Javier Solana.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Amr Moussa and European Middle East peace envoy Miguel Morations in addition to French ambassador to Egypt Francois Dopffer.

The French Foreign Ministry officially requested Solana to visit the Middle East to help relieve tension in the region. France currently holding the rotating chairmanship of the EU.

"President Mubarak stressed the necessity to end the violence that has been sweeping through the occupied Palestinian territories," said Solana.

Solana said his tour in the region comes at the request of the EU to help resume the peace process.

Solana said he will visit other countries in the region to see for ways of moving the peace process forward.

"There is an available opportunity now although it is not that big one and time is running out and consequently it should be optimally invested," said Solana.