US official carries proposals to help Egypt's economy

"Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Alan Larson, will have talks with senior Egyptian officials Monday. He is carrying a number of proposals to help the Egyptian economy cushion the effects of the September 11 incidents," said spokesman for the US Embassy in Cairo.

"The proposals include speeding up US economic assistance to ameliorate the current Egyptian economic conditions," said the spokesman.

Larson will have talks with Prime Minister Atef Ebeid and Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher at the Cabinet premises, with US Ambassador to Egypt David Welch attending.

He will also meet with Minister of Foreign Trade Youssef Boutros Ghali, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Fayza Abul- Naga and Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) Mahmoud Abul-Oyoun.

"After his two-day visit to Egypt, Larson will pay a visit to Israel," according to the spokesman.

Egypt and Israel are the largest recipients of US foreign aid in the Middle East region.