French foreign ministeron Saturday commended the "national unity" in Egypt and the spontaneous feelings Egyptians demonstrated in the aftermath of the "terrorist" bombing of the Alexandria Saints' Church on the New Year's Eve. "Such events, targeting Muslims, Christians or the Jewish, happen in France alike and they are the same, either in Egypt, France. Minister Michel Alliot-Marie addressing a joint news conference with her Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Abul Gheit in Cairo Saturday. “Egypt, a country of democracy and (religious) tolerance was the target of the attack. This is what all witnessed,” Alliot-Marie told the conference, according to the official Middle East News Agency (MENA). “Values of history and politics prompt the world countries to work together to combat terrorism.” The French official is on a Middle East tour seeking revival of the peace process. Earlier in the day, Alliot-Marie had talks with President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo on regional developments. Addressing the press conference, Foreign Minister Abul Gheit said that during the 90-minute talks, Mubarak and Alliot-Marie focused on the Palestinian cause, means of pushing forward the peace process, "the situation in Lebanon and the necessity of adhering to legitimacy and the full implementation of the Taif Agreement". The talks also addressed Iran's nuclear programme and its relations with the Arab world. Alliot-Marie said: “We and our friends share concerns over developments (in Iran).” Abul Gheit said he had briefed his French counterpart on the church bombing, noting that it had targeted the whole country, not just Coptic Christians. Abul Gheit and Alliot-Marie agreed to intensify efforts with the European Union (EU) to try to conclude joint understanding of terrorism, "which is a threat to all". On Lebanon, Alliot-Marie said she and President Mubarak had agreed that the constitutional authorities there needed to conduct a "reconstruction" process for restoring stability. Both sides also agreed on the necessity of resuming peace efforts till a final solution is reached for the Palestinian problem. Alliot-Marie referred to a French proposal to set up a Palestinian state, but also guaranteeing Israel's security. France hosted a donors' conference for Palestine in 2007 and is planning for a follow-up meeting.
