FM Moussa, Belgian FM to probe ties, ME peace. China blames US for midair collision. Saudi Arabia to seal security deal with Tehran in mid April. Islamic Academy forbids surrogate motherhood. Bin Laden followers reveal plans to kill Americans.
Afghan rivals prepare for spring offensive.
Kuwait says Iraq still hostile. While in Washington, President Mubarak is expected, as French President Jacques Chirac recently put it, to carry the voice of peace and wisdom through to America's Chief Executive George W. Bush who has repeatedly asserted the fact that Egypt stands out as one of his country's major partners in the Middle East region. The UN has recently provided the international community with proof of its lax attitude in respect of protecting Palestinian civilians facing the Israeli arrogance of power. Meanwhile, Arab diplomacy is seen to have failed in its efforts to capitalize on Europe's belief in the fairness and justice of the Palestinian position and demands. The Arab discourse, it appears, has so far been unable to influence Europe.