Mubarak to receive Albright on Thursday

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is to receive US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Thursday.

Albright's visit to Egypt comes as a part of her tour to the Middle East as a whole.

President Mubarak and Albright are expected to discuss the recent developments on the Palestinian - Israeli track concerning the implementation of the Wye River accord and means of encouraging Lebanese and Syrian tracks.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said the understanding note on the implementation of the Wye River accord between the Palestinians and Israelis, may be endorsed in the attendance of Albright on Thursday, but that has not been decided yet, adding, "We are waiting for the two sides to reach an agreement on all outstanding points"

Concerning, relationship between the endorsement of the note and Albright's visit, Moussa said there is a time coordination between the two events. He added, "There is enough progress that makes us expect the implementation of the Wye Agreement."

On the issue of Israeli settlements, Moussa said, "It is a dangerous issue that augers nothing well, its gravity is clear to all, not only to Palestinians and Israelis, settlements constitute an obstacle to peace."