Mubarak: Peace is key to stability in the region

President Muhammad Hosni Mubarak of Egypt has asserted that just and comprehensive peace based on implementing UN resolutions is the key to achieving security and stability in the region.

The Egyptian President called upon the Israeli government to carry out obligations and agreements and to abide by peace basics and terms of references.

During his meeting Tuesday with leaders of main branches of the Egyptian armed forces, President Mubarak added in press statements that "building the armed forces is a basic matter to defend the dignity of the homeland and protect its soil from aggression."

Meanwhile, Egyptian Information Minister Safwat al-Sharif has denied media reports on the possibility that President Mubarak may join the current Israeli - Palestinian negotiations at the Wye Plantation under the US administration's patronage. Al-Sharif added that President Mubarak has no information about such news, noting that such possibilities have not been debated, so, "They are groundless and null."

Some news agencies pointed yesterday to the possibility of President Mubarak, King Hussein of Jordan and Israeli President Ezer Weizman joining in the Wye Plantation talks in the US. King Hussein has participated in the negotiations.