Mubarak receives new Foreign Minister

The Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak held the first meeting with the new Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Atef Ebeid and Chief of the Presidential Cabinet Zakereya Azmi.

Maher, 65, replaced Tuesday outgoing foreign minister Amr Moussa, already appointed Arab League Secretary General.

In his first statement after taking the oath and meeting with the President, Maher said he received directives from the President at this crucial stage regarding the foreign policy.

He added he was present at the meeting held between President Mubarak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

"The meeting dealt with the crucial situation and contacts made by Egypt to put an end to the Israeli aggression and give a chance to positive political action," he said.

He termed as "very dangerous" the Israeli present practices.

Referring to Mubarak-Arafat meeting, Maher said it dealt with the Palestinian response to the Mitchell's report. It was agreed that the report together with the Egyptian-Jordanian initiative can be serve as a base to end the dangerous situation and resume negotiations to reach a just settlement.

It was also agreed that Egypt should pursue contacts with the Palestinian side and with other different international parties.

Asked on the recent Israeli attacks where five Palestinian officers were killed. Maher said: "We denounce this policy which is unacceptable to all."