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UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

EGYPT: Kofi Annan, in Cairo, discusses regional stability

CAIRO, 8 November 2005 (IRIN) - UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived in Cairo on Monday as part of a four-nation tour of the Middle East and North Africa to discuss regional stability.

"We are interested in peace and stability on all tracks," Annan said at a press conference held on Tuesday, following a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit.

According to statements from Abul-Gheit, the meeting revolved around the Israel-Palestine “peace process” and the current situation regarding Syria and Lebanon. The latter is of particular importance in light of recently passed UN Security Council resolution 1636, which demands Syrian cooperation in a UN probe of the February assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

In response to questions from reporters, Annan said Syria was willing to fully cooperate with the investigation, headed by German prosecutor Detlev Mehlis. "Syria has had a good record in implementing UN resolutions," the Secretary-General noted.

Annan asserted that "impunity will not be allowed to stand," but added that military action was not currently under consideration by Security Council members.

He added that his meeting with the Egyptian Foreign Minister had also touched on proposed ideas for UN reform, the current situation in Sudan and rising tension between the governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Following the brief press conference, Annan visited Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa at league headquarters in Cairo. It was widely expected that talks between the two would revolve mainly around the Syria issue.

During his three-day visit to Egypt, Annan is also scheduled to meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif.

According to a foreign ministry statement, Annan will also visit a showpiece technology park. Known as the “Smart Village,” the facility is devoted to IT development and home to a number of local and multinational IT and telecommunications companies.

Later on Tuesday, Annan was scheduled to deliver a lecture at the American University in Cairo. According to the UN news centre, the lecture will be held in memory of Nadia Younes, a former UN official killed in a 2003 terrorist bombing of the organisation's Baghdad headquarters.

On Wednesday, Annan will depart the country and continue his tour of the region, which will includes stops in Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Pakistan.

Themes: (IRIN) Governance

[ENDS]

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