Mubarak stresses importance of communication between officials, youths

"President Hosni Mubarak always refers to the importance of keeping communication channels between officials and young people, "said Osama El-Baz, the Presidential Political Advisor, on Sunday.

Addressing the National Democratic Party's political Club in Giza, Baz criticized the West attempts to take advantage of the September 11 attacks to cement the idea of conflict between the Islamic and Western civilizations.

"On the situation in the Palestinian lands, he stressed the legitimacy of the Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupation, lauding the steadfastness of the palestinian people in face of the Israeli tanks, missiles and planes.

He urged Israel to withdraw its forces out of the Palestinian self-rule areas and release Palestinian tax dues.

Baz called on Israel to dismantle its military nuclear program in order not to disrupt military balance.

On the Egyptian-US relations, AL-Baz said, "We do not expect that the US would be an ally of Egypt. It is a friendly state with which we cooperate.

" he added that the US had endorsed $625 million as an economic grant to Egypt.