Mubarak sends message to Tunisia's bin Ali on bilateral relations

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak sends a verbal message to Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Bin Ali on bilateral relations, to be conveyed by Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher who arrived to Tunis Friday with his Tunisian counterpart El-Habib Bin Yehia.

Maher said the message deals with enhancing Egyptian Tunisian bilateral relations and Arab cooperation to support the Palestinian people and means to realise just peace.

Maher will co-chair with Bin Yehia meetings of the Egyptian-Tunisian Political Consultations and Follow-up Committee, slate for Saturday.

On arrival, Maher said his visit rearms the deeply-rooted relations between the Egyptian and Tunisian people and leaders.

Talks will tackle the international situation and the development in the Middle East, he said, asserting that the Thursday emergency Arab foreign ministers' meeting came up with a collective stance in support of the Palestinian cause.

The joint committee will also probe the anti-terrorism campaign and the importance of not confusing resistance with terrorism, said Egypt's top diplomat.

No Arab country should be targetted under any pretext, he stressed.

Maher said his talks in Tunis will also address the Agadir Declaration on establishing a free trade zone between Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Jordan.

We hope to see President Bin Ali in Cairo soon, said the foreign minister.

Maher arrived in Tunis earlier with Bin Yehia after attending in Cairo on Thursday the emergency meeting of the Arab foreign ministers.