IGAD Summit is important

Egyptian Ambassador in Khartoum Mohamed Assem Ibrahim termed as an "important matter" Egypt's participation in the Inter Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) Summit, to open in Khartoum on Thursday, as its agenda involves a host of issues of interest to Egypt as a pivotal country in the region.

In an interview Wednesday with Cairo Radio, Ibrahim said the summit will provide a chance for the Egyptian diplomacy to reaffirm its vitality in this area.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher will deliver a message from President Hosni Mubarak to Sudanese President Omar el Bashir.

"Egypt is not an IGAD member state but it was invited by the leader of the host country Sudan, to attend the gathering with Libya as observers," he said.

"IGAD members are Egypt's neighbors and so they share common interests," he added.

On the Egyptian-Libyan initiative, the ambassador said it includes principles acceptable to all parties but some parties see that those principles are not sufficient because they do not involve self-determination.

"Maher will hold talks with his Sudanese counterpart and other officials on a host of bilateral and African issues of mutual interest along with the American efforts to settle the Sudanese issue," he added.