Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak watches filming of children's 'Sesame World',T.V

Egypt's First Lady Suzanne Wednesday watched the beginning of the filming of the third group of the children's television programme 'Sesame World' the screening of which began on Egyptian television in August 2000.

The program was a great success among children's programmes. It is an educational, recreational programme designed for children in the pre-school period to help them acquire basic skills and enable them to easily accept school texts.

In an address on the occasion, Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak said: Our aim is clear: it is the right of every child in Egypt to have a good beginning in his life.

Our efforts and directives to realise this aim, were not confined to health and social care or mere provision of basic services.

'They have expanded to include all that is needed by a child: love, care, attention and making him feel protection, security and self-confidence,' Mrs. Mubarak said.

US Ambassador in Cairo David Welch made a speech in which he said that he was happy that the "Seasame World" programme has been a success.

The programme began to be screened in the United States 32 years ago and was co-produced in 20 countries.

Each country produces the programme in the manner which suited its traditions and customs. Egypt was the country No. 19 which produced the programme.

'The programme reflected Egyptian-American cooperation and encouraged the opening of new horizons of cooperation,' he said.

Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, who sponsors the successful "Reading For All" and "Read to Your Child" programmes, appealed to parents to read to their children at home in order to instill in children the urge to read since an early age.

Mrs. Mubarak made a tour of Media Production City. She visited the main reception hall, and the Grand Nile Hall and toured areas for open filming.

Information Minister Safwat Al-Sherif and senior media officials took part in the ceremony and the tour.