Prime Minister Essam Sharaf has left for Sudan early today, in his first visit to a foreign country since his appointment. Sharaf's will stay in Sudan for two days and will meet with Ali Othman Taha, vice-president of Sudan to discuss ties between the two countries. The prime minister is also expected to visit Juba, the capital of Southern Sudan to show Egypt's continuous support of the south in the construction, education and health sectors. Accompanying Sharaf to Sudan is a delegation of Egyptian officials, including Foreign Minister Nabil El Araby, Minister of Transport Atef Abul Hameed, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hussein El Atfy, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Amr Ezzat Salama, Minister of Industry and Foreign Trade, Samir El Sayad and Minister for International Cooperation Fayza Abu El Naga.
