Egypt refuses to receive Saleh Tarrif

The Israeli daily Yadhout Ahronout said on Monday that Egypt has refused to receive the Arab minister in the Israeli government Saleh Tarif, who was supposed to be the first minister in Sharon's government to visit Egypt and Jordan.

The paper added that the Israeli government approved on Sunday in its weekly session the travel of Saleh Tarrif to Egypt in a work visit and to Jordan in a private visit.

The paper quoted Tarrif as saying that he is still waiting for the return of the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak from his visit to Washington in order to set a date with him for visiting Egypt. He explained that he does not carry messages from the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon to the Egyptian President.