Egypt takes its decision in time; we do not need holding a summit

The political ministerial group held two meetings yesterday at the Cabinet Headquarters under Prime Minister Atef Ebeid and attended by People's Assembly speaker Ahmed Fathi Sorour, and Shura Council Speaker Mustafa Kamal Helmi.

Minister of Information Safwat Al Sherif said the meeting discussed the results of the group's meeting on Saturday under President Mubarak's instructions for making an assessment of the situation resulting from Israel's occupation of Palestinian cities and the mass killing of Palestinians.

Sherif said the political group underlined cancellation of Sharm El Sheikh meeting which was scheduled to be held between the Speaker of the People's Assembly and the Speaker of the Israeli Knesset, the Speaker of the Palestinian Parliament together with Speakers of some European Parliaments.

Meantime, Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher made a telephone call with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat during which they reviewed the progress of consultations by Egypt with the parties concerned at the Arab and international levels for guaranteeing safety and security of President Arafat, and lifting off the siege tightened on him and the Palestinian people.

Maher renewed Egypt's full support for the heroic stance of the Palestinian leader. Maher also made contacts with Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan AL Maashar and Lebanese Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hamoud.