US Administration respond to Egypt's demand for accelerating economic aid

US President George Bush has received a verbal message from President Mubarak. The message was conveyed by Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher during his meeting with Condoleeza Rice, the National Security Advisor at the end of his visit to Washington and before his travel to New York.

In pre-departure statements before leaving for New York, Maher said that Mubarak's message to Bush stressed on Egypt's backing to Washington in its efforts to get parties to embark on serious negotiations to reach a just settlement to the crisis.

He said that his talks with Rice focused on the fight against terrorism, adding that Egypt's stance is well known and so is the situation in the region.

He also focused on Egypt's efforts as part of the Egyptian Libyan initiative to settle the Sudanese issue.

"Talks also touched on rights of Egyptian citizens in the United States," Egypt's top diplomat said.

He described as distinguished his meeting with Rice who voiced appreciation of the US administration to Mubarak's positive regional and world roles.

She also voiced backing to Egypt in face of hardships resulting from the September 11th attacks.

Maher said that he has got a pledge from Secretary of State Colin Powell for protecting rights of the Egyptians detained in the US after September 11 incidents.

He said that Egypt shall exert every possible effort to know their names and the charges they are facing.