French FM highlights Egypt's Mideast role

French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine has underlined the importance of Egypt's role in the Middle East peacemaking. He said that his country and Egypt were keen to reach a fair and comprehensive solution which would fulfill hopes of the region's peoples.

Vedrine added that a visit by his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Maher to Paris had enhanced Franco-Egyptian coordination in easing regional tensions. Maher left Paris later in the day after a three-day visit for Rome to build on talks which President Hosni Mubarak had held this week with senior Italian officials.