French defense minister to visit Egypt

French Defense Minister Alain Richard is due to arrive in Cairo on Saturday to attend part of the Bright Star maneuvers, in which French troops participate in addition to the Egyptian and other foreign and Arab troops.

Richard will hold talks with Egyptian Defense Minister Hussein Tantawi that are to tackle military cooperation.

Richard will also meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to discuss developments.

The two sides are expected to discuss commercial exchange as well as the purchase of weapons, especially as Egypt feels relief at the purchase from France which is encouraged by President Mubarak, who finds difficulty in purchasing weapons from the USA.