Canada invites Mubarak to industrialised nations' meeting

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak yesterday received an invitation from Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien to attend a meeting of the major industrialised nations in June. The invitation was handed by the Canadian Foreign Minister, Bill Graham during a meeting with the Egyptian leader.

The summit is expected to be attended by five African countries which are members of the steering committee created by the Partnership of Africa Development Initiative.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher told reporters following the meeting that President Mubarak would study the invitation.

He added that the talks between the Egyptian leader and the top Canadian diplomat covered the situation in the Middle East.

He added that Graham, who previously visited Jordan in his regional tour, is visiting Israel and the Palestinian self-rule areas for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. "The Canadian Foreign Minister was keen to listen to President Mubarak's assessment of the regional developments," he said.

"The President said that in order to make a breakthrough, Israel should change its policy and reciprocate to the international efforts seeking a final settlement," Maher added. He quoted the Egyptian leader as saying that the Israeli policy had failed to provide security for the Israelis.