Maher to hand message from Mubarak to Putin

Egyptian SForeign Minister Ahmed Maher will visit Russia on Thursday to hand a message from President Hosni Mubarak to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In press statements Wednesday night, Maher said that contacts have been going on between Egypt and Russia, adding that President Mubarak has exchanged messages with Putin.

"Russia is an important country and a major power which has regained its role as a co-sponsor of the peace process after a phase of fluctuation," Maher said. He added that he will leave Moscow on Friday for a meeting of the Arab peace initiative committee. "The Moscow visit will seek boosting bilateral relations and furthering trade and technological ties," Maher said. He added that his visit would also deal with the Mideast peace process.

Asked about his upcoming visit to Lebanon, Maher said that he would visit Beirut to attend the first meeting of the Arab initiative follow-up committee.

During the meeting members of the committee will be briefed on Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Ben Abdel Aziz's US visit, the Sharm El-Sheikh summit and Jordanian King Abdullah II's trip to Washington.

Meanwhile, Maher Wednesday evening conferred with Russian Charge d'Affaires to Cairo Andrei Zakharov, on the eve of his visit to Moscow.

Emerging from the meeting, the Russian officia1 voiced his country's appreciation to President Mubarak's role in helping resolve Middle East problems.

He added that during his visit to Moscow starting Thursday, Maher would meet senior Russian official, including his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov.

The Moscow talks will focus on regional issues and efforts to revive Palestinian-Israeli negotiations.