Nile cruise for Bright Star

About 58,000 troops from Egypt, the United States and five other countries have just ended the Middle East's biggest joint war-games. Contingents from Britain, France, Italy, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait joined the "Bright Star" air, sea and land exercises in a desert area west of the Nile Delta.

During the military training, held every two years, Egyptian and allied forces repulsed mock invading troops.

The Bright Star maneuvers were expanded to include other countries after the 1991 Gulf war.

The Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETA) will give tonight a dinner for commanders of the forces that took part in the war-games.

The reception, held on a Nile cruiser in coordination between the armed forces and the Ministry of Tourism, is expected to be attended by accredited military attaches in Cairo, Al Wafd daily said today.