Russian foreign minister to visit Cairo next week

Russian Foreign Minsiter Igor Ivanov is to arrive at Cairo in the coming week at the beginning of a Middle East tour, during which he will meet with Egyptian President Mubarak and Foreign Minister Amr Moussa in Cairo.

Russian sources in Cairo said the Russian official will discuss the position of the region's countries toward what is taking place the Balkans and NATO strikes against the Serbs.

The Russian sources added that Ivanov will meet with the Arab League's secretary general, who will inform Ivanov about the details of the two Libyan suspects' trail and the carrying out of the guarantees that Libya obtained for its citizens during the current trial in Holland.

Moreover, Moussa and Ivanov will discuss obstacles facing the Middle East peace process and their view toward declaring the Palestinian state by May 4, and that Russian is not against the declaration but has reservations about the date.