Mubarak, Hamad discuss details of ME situation

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak yesterday discussed the deteriorating situation in the Middle East during a summit meeting with the ruler of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa Al-Thani, who started a two-day visit to Cairo earlier in the day.

The two Arab leaders initially met behind closed doors before they were joined by members of Egyptian and Qatari delegations. They held another round of talks last night before President Mubarak hosted a dinner banquet in honor of his guest and his accompanying delegation.

Discussions between the two leaders tackled the conditions in the region after US President George W. Bush outlined the United States' policy on the Middle East peace in a statement last week.

Speaking to reporters following the talks, Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said the two leaders have focused on the efforts needed to "implement the positive aspects of President Bush's statement".

They also tackled joint economic links and the possibility of establishing Qatari investments in the industrial area east to the Suez Canal.

Maher said the two states supported the Palestinian people's right in selecting their own leaders.