Mubarak will skip summit over Syria's role in Lebanon

by **Admin** Mon Mar 24, 2008 3:57 am

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has finally decided not to participate in the Arab summit scheduled to be held in Syrian capital Damascus next Saturday al Mustaqbal newspaper has reported.

Mustaqbal newspaper has cited Syria's destructive role in Lebanon as the main reason for Mubarak's decision.
The paper reported that Mubarak's decision is irrevocable.

Al Mustaqbal sources also have reported that Mubarak may dispatch a delegation headed by his Prime Minister Dr. Ahmed Nazif or a lower level delegation headed by Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul-Gheit.

Al Mustaqbal sources claim that Mubarak will make the official announcement about boycotting the summit next Wednesday March 26, one day after the scheduled elections in Lebanon.

Mubarak's decision could have a domino effect on the Damascus summit , because of the leadership role Egypt enjoys in the Arab world. There is a speculation in Beirut that Saudi Arabian king Abdullah and Jordanian king Abdullah will both miss the summit . Again they could be followed by other countries in the Gulf specifically Kuwait , Bahrain and UAE.

Mubarak to Moscow
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will visit Moscow tomorrow for talks centering on the situation in the Middle East and civilian nuclear energy, according to Al Mustaqbal.

The visit comes at "a critical moment when the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians is practically frozen and when the situation is getting worse in Gaza," ambassador Ezzat Al-Saied said.

"At such a time, it is still important for Egypt to consult and exchange ideas with Russia," he said.

During Mubarak's visit from Monday to Wednesday, the two countries will sign an accord on civilian nuclear energy, giving Moscow the chance to participate in building Egypt's first nuclear reactor.

Mubarak announced in October that Egypt would be looking for contractors in the first nuclear reactor project valued at 1.5-1.8 billion dollar.