Maher: Arab peace initiative to get full Egyptian support

Maher stressed the importance of the role played by Egypt under the leadership of President Hosni Mubarak, particularly as regards the Palestinian cause.

In statements to BBC Radio Friday morning, Maher highlighted the importance of Mubarak's advice to Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat not to leave Ramallah without firm guarantees or else he should not go to the Arab summit.

Asked on the nature of the Egyptian role inside the Arab system that will follow up on the Saudi ideas formulated into an Arab initiative, Maher said that the Arab initiative will get full Egyptian support from all aspects and at the various levels.

He made it clear that Egypt is always leading the Arab states by the choice of other friendly countries which know Egypt's value in the Middle East as well as its plans.

The Foreign Minister affirmed that Egypt was serving the Arab causes and the Arab states.