Discussions between Mubarak and Arafat regarding declaration of Palestinian state on Monday

A Palestinian - Egyptian summit is expected to he held in Cairo on Monday between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to discuss the issue of declaring a Palestinian state on May 4.

Palestinian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Nabil Shaath said he will hold tomorrow discussions with Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa to prepare for the meeting between the two presidents.

He said the Palestinian Authority did not change its position regarding the declaration of the state, but it studies all the raised issues. He added that President Arafat will also discuss this matter with US President Bill Clinton during a visit to Washington on March 23.