Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit left for Tunisia on Monday to start a four-day tour that will also see him visit Morocco for the first time since he took office in 2004. Abul Gheit's visits to the two North African countries are intended to promote cooperation with Egypt. Spokesperson for the foreign ministry Hossam Zaki, who is accompanying Abul Gheit on his tour, said the minister will deliver messages from Mubarak to the leaders of Tunisia and Morocco. In Tunisia, the minister will participate in the twelfth session of political consultations between the foreign ministers of Egypt and Tunisia. In Morocco, the minister will take part in a political consultation mechanism--which has not convened since 2006--in order to find ways to revitalize political dialogue. Zaki said that Abul Gheit will discuss the situations in Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen and the latest developments in the Palestinian territories, as well as looking at ways to activate the Agadir Agreement (the Arab Mediterranean Free Trade Agreement) signed by Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Jordan in 2004. Abul Gheit's visit to Tunisia coincides with that of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, also scheduled to arrive in Tunisia today. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
