Arab countries watch Iran from afar Jun 17, 2009
Egyptian activists, for example, over the past year have called for rallies and strikes on the Internet s social networks, but they have no galvanizing personality and are not organized enough to pose a threat to a police state controlled by President Hosni Mubarak. I don t think similar events could even take place in Egypt or other Arab countries, said the editor of the Cairo independent Al Dustour, Ibrahim Issa, who has been arrested a number of times for criticizing the Mubarak government. (Boston Globe)
Obama welcomes Netanyahu speech Jun 17, 2009
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said the request "aborts the chance for peace". If we have guarantees on demilitarisation and if the Palestinians recognise Israel as a state of the Jewish people, then we arrive at a solution based on a demilitarised Palestinian state alongside Israel. (BBC News -- Americas)
Barack Obama: Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places Jun 17, 2009
On June 10, President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt praised Obama as someone who differs from other presidents of the United States. Palestinian terror group Hamas trumpeted Obamas election as a historic victory for the world. (Townhall.com)
Netanyahu's Palestinian stance seen as a start Jun 17, 2009
Netanyahu's demand that Palestinians recognize Israel as the state of the Jewish people - essentially giving up any right of return for Palestinian refugees - "scuttles the chances for peace," Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said Monday. "The call to amend the Arab initiative and drop the right of return will not find anyone in Egypt or elsewhere to agree to it," the state-run Middle East News Agency quoted Mubarak as saying. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Palestinians Blast Netanyahu's Peace Terms Jun 16, 2009
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, a key mediator between Israel and the Palestinians, said that demand "will further complicate the situation and scuttle any chance of peace," according to the state news agency MENA.. In Jordan, the pro-government Al-Rai daily ran an editorial titled, "Netanyahu offered rotten merchandise. Nobody will buy it.". (Fox News)
Netanyahu's speech vexes Arabs Jun 16, 2009
" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech at Bar Ilan University near Tel Aviv, June 14, 2009. Netanyahu Sunday night called on the Palestinians to resume Middle East peace talks without preconditions and presented three conditions for the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. (Xinhua/Pool-Baz Ratner) "Arabs would not make concessions regarding issues of Jerusalem and refugees," AL spokesman Abel-Halim el-Abiad told Xinhua, adding that they would not... (Xinhuanet, China)
Egypt Praises Obama As Welcome Change From Bush Jun 16, 2009
President Hosni Mubarak's comments were his first since Obama delivered a speech last week in Cairo aimed at improving relations between the U.S. and the Muslim world that were strained under former President George W. Bush. "In the previous administration, there was a feeling that Islam is a group of terrorists, Islam is hated and a Muslim should be watched over," said Mubarak in an interview with Egyptian television in the southern city of Aswan ... Obama also pushed for Israelis and... (CBS News -- World)
Africa's top 10 'big men' Jun 16, 2009
No 5: PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK of EGYPT ... Hosni Mubarak took over after the assassination of President Sadat by Islamist militants in October 1981. (BBC News -- Africa)
Area Muslims see answers and questions in Obama's Cairo speech Jun 16, 2009
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, for example, has come under fire for alleged human rights abuses and suppression of press freedoms and political expression. Some also felt Obama will need to take a closer look at the relationship the U.S. has with Israel, and what role the U.S. can play in helping Palestinians and achieving peace in the region. (Chelmsford Independent, MA)
Carter to Meet With Hamas in Gaza Jun 16, 2009
In Cairo, Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian president, said recognising Israel as a Jewish state effectively meant ruling out any return of Palestinian refugees and "increases the complexity of the matter and aborts the chance for peace". Within Israel, reaction to Netanyahu's speech was mixed. (Newsmax)
* Palestinian state speech receives mixed reaction Jun 16, 2009
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said the demand that Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state in a final deal scuppers the possibility for peace. . (Taipei Times, Taiwan)
Israeli PM 'ruins' peace chance Jun 16, 2009
Hosni Mubarak held talks with Benjamin Netanyahu in May. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak says an Israeli demand that Palestinians accept Israel as a Jewish state ruins the chances for a peace deal. (BBC News -- Africa)
Netanyahu's two-state solution: You recognize us, we'll recognize you. Jun 16, 2009
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said on Monday that Netanyahu's speech throws a wrench into peace efforts. "The proposal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state complicates the situation further," the official Nile TV network quoted Mr. Mubarak as saying. (Christian Science Monitor)
After deluge of rhetorics, actions needed Jun 6, 2009
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, the host of Obama's speech, did not visit the United States during Bush's second term in protest of his rash move against Iraq. All in all, a speech to woo everybody and offend nobody risks promising too much, a touchstone for Obama in the coming weeks is the nearly unsolvable Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, it's easier to make a foray into the unknown than to change the status quo, which was shaped in the past 60 years. (Xinhuanet, China)
U.S. President Obama said in a major speech at Cairo University on Thursday that the United States seeks a "new beginning" in relations with the Muslim world. • Obama hopes "new beginning" with Muslims Jun 6, 2009
Earlier in the morning, Obama held talks with his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak at the Quba Palace soon after landing ... U.S. President Barack Obama arrived Thursday morning in Cairo, where he will hold talks with his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak and deliver a speech to the Muslim world in Cairo University ... CAIRO, June 4 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama arrived Thursday morning in Cairo, where he will hold talks with his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak and deliver a... (Xinhuanet, China)
South Africa: Zuma's Half-Million Jobs is Wishful Thinking Jun 6, 2009
In 2005, President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt promised during an election campaign to create 4. 5 million jobs over six years, or 750,000 a year. (allAfrica.com)
Obama speech sparks hopes and fears Jun 6, 2009
While the regime is friendly toward the US, the Geman-language Neue Zrcher Zeitung newspaper described its president, Hosni Mubarak, as a "notorious autocrat." Hottinger plays down these contradictions. "I think it's not as clear as we see it," he said. (SwissInfo.org, Switzerland)
Cheney, Boehner: Obama Made U.S. Look Weak Jun 5, 2009
Obama's delivery of the speech standing by "a giant picture of Egyptian autocrat Hosni Mubarak ... can be read only as an endorsement of the Arab world as it is -- the rule of the one over the many," Pletka added. Pletka also accused the president of trafficking in "the moral equivalency that denies right and wrong.". (Newsmax)
Obama calls for 'new beginning' with Muslims Jun 5, 2009
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak (left) welcomes U.S. President Barack Obama during their meeting at the presidential palace in Cairo ... Obama spoke at Cairo University after meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the second stop of a four-nation trip to the Middle East and Europe. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Meeting with Saudi King Jun 5, 2009
Obama has been criticized for setting the address in Egypt, where President Hosni Mubarak has jailed dissidents and clung to power for nearly three decades. In Riyadh, the president was talking to Abdullah about a host of thorny problems, from Arab-Israeli peace efforts to Iran's nuclear program. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
US president says cycle of suspicion and discord must end Jun 5, 2009
Obama spoke at Cairo University after meeting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the second stop of a four-nation trip to the Middle East and Europe. The speech was the centrepiece of his journey, and the president covered the Middle East peace process, Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq and the violent struggle waged by Al Qaeda. (Daily Times, Pakistan)
President Obama Visits Islamic World Jun 5, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama has gotten tough with Israel and chosen Cairo -- where President Hosni Mubarak rules with a firm hand -- for his much-awaited overture to the Islamic world in what appears to be a clear break from decades of U.S. policy. Many issues cloud American relations with the Muslim world, but none rankles like U.S. ties to Israel and massive support for the Jewish state in the heart of the Arab Middle East. (W-USA News, DC)
Obama calls for new start Jun 5, 2009
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, reviled by the political opposition for his iron grasp on the media and the security forces he often deploys, joined Obama on a palace balcony for the welcoming ceremony, featuring each country's national anthem. The two men then met privately for 20 minutes. (AZCentral)
Read the interview Jun 5, 2009
GRIFFIN: But it will also anger the -- President Mubarak and the government if you have the Muslim -- if you're giving invitations. KISSINGER: Oh, you mean our organizers of the speech did it. (Fox News)
Tweets greet Obama speech Jun 5, 2009
Mr Obama also came in for some sharp comments on his treatment of democracy: "How about Mubarak and his ruthless suppressing the rights of others?" tweeted Marcy Newman, who describes herself as a teacher, writer and activist in Palestine. We expect a lot from Obama. (BBC News -- Africa)
Egypt: Obama Makes History By Reaching Out to Muslim World Jun 5, 2009
The US President delivered his speech after meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the second stop of a four-nation trip to the Middle East and Europe. A statement from the Embassy of Egypt signed by the press attach;, Muhammed Saber, said Mubarak and Obama held an enlarged session of talks at the Qubba Presidential Palace attended by the two countries' delegations. (allAfrica.com)
Egyptians positive on speech Jun 5, 2009
President Hosni Mubarak, a staunch US ally, has ruled for nearly 30 years. The main opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, is officially banned and its members are often arrested. (BBC News -- Africa)
Does Obama's address mark a shift in US policy towards the Muslim world? Jun 5, 2009
Obama spoke at Cairo University after meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the second stop of a four-nation trip to the Middle East and Europe. The speech was the centerpiece of his journey, and while its tone was striking, the president also covered the Middle East peace process, Iran, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the violence struggle waged by al-Qaida. (India Times, India)
Obama urges new dawn in U.S., Moslems Jun 5, 2009
Obama who spoke at Cairo University after meeting with Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, on the second stop of a four-nation trip to the Middle East and Europe pointed out that there are some who advocate for democracy only when they are out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. "No matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who hold power: you must maintain your power through consent, not... (Guardian News, Nigeria)
Obama's Middle East Test Jun 4, 2009
WASHINGTON -- I last saw Ayman Nour in a dingy Cairo conference room in 2005 while he was running for president against Hosni Mubarak, Egypt's military ruler. During a Middle Eastern trip, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had convened a small group of Egyptian dissidents and civil society leaders to discuss democracy and human rights. (Townhall.com)
Hot Topic: The Price Of Diplomacy Jun 4, 2009
During President Hosni Mubarak's 28 years in power, dissidents have been harassed and imprisoned ... As for Mubarak, the president has called him a "stalwart ally.". (CBS News)
Obama in Cairo for outreach speech Jun 4, 2009
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, left, welcomes U.S. President Barack Obama upon his arrival at Qubba palace in Cairo Egypt, Thursday, June 4, 2009 ... Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, left, talks to U.S. President Barack Obama upon his arrival at Qubba palace in Cairo Egypt, Thursday, June 4, 2009 ... Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, left, greets U.S. President Barack Obama upon his arrival at Qubba palace in Cairo Egypt, Thursday, June 4, 2009. (Albany Times Union)
The shadow war in Balochistan Jun 4, 2009
Instead of watching him meet that paragon of democracy, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, and cozy up with perennial Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak, the "Muslim world" would rather benefit from Obama explaining first-hand what a shadow war in Muslim lands is all about. By mid-summer, Obama's Afghan surge in troops will be in position. (Asia Times Online)
COLUMN-Obama and the wrong side of history: Bernd Debusmann Jun 4, 2009
As for those on the wrong side of history, one leader who fits Obama's description is President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, from where the U.S. president is scheduled to make a high-profile speech to the Muslim world early in June. A long-time U.S. ally, Mubarak has been in power since 1981. (AlertNet)
Harvard University creates gay professorship Jun 4, 2009
The U.S. president is due to hold talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak before delivering his speech. Obama wants to build a coalition of Muslim governments that will back his efforts to revive stalled Middle East peace talks and help the United States curb Iran's nuclear programme, which Tehran says is peaceful but the West says is to build bombs. (SwissInfo.org, Switzerland)
Obama In Saudi Arabia for Start of Mideast Mission Jun 4, 2009
5 billion Muslims, and participate in his first talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. King Abdullah has been seeking to relaunch a 2002 Arab-backed Middle East peace initiative, which the Obama administration has praised. (Newsmax)
Obama looks to reset U.S.-Muslim relations Jun 4, 2009
" In advance of his trip, the president has been getting tough on Israel, pushing a two-state solution in meetings with a resistant Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Before embarking on his trip, Obama dropped in unexpectedly on a meeting Tuesday in Washington between Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and National Security Adviser Gen. Jim Jones, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported. Obama, the newspaper reports, intends to give Netanyahu four to six weeks to update his position regarding... (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- NFL)
Obama vows 'new beginning' with Islam Jun 4, 2009
Obama's long-awaited speech fulfilled a campaign promise and came after he held talks in Saudi Arabia Wednesday with King Abdullah and Thursday with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak aimed at reviving Middle East peace moves. In the university's imposing domed Great Hall, Obama said the US bond with Israel, the source of much Arab distrust of the United States, was unbreakable, and rejected "ignorant" rants by those who deny the Nazi Holocaust. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
U.S. President Barack Obama arrives in Egypt Jun 4, 2009
CAIRO, June 4 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama arrived Thursday morning in Cairo, where he will hold talks with his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak and deliver a much-anticipated speech to the Muslim world in Cairo University. Obama stepped out of the Air Force One and down the ramp quickly, waving hands to the crowds welcoming him. (Xinhuanet, China)
Obama's crucial Muslim mission Jun 4, 2009
In Cairo, Mr Obama will meet the Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, before speaking to a crowd of 4000 at Cairo University. Before flying out of Cairo, Mr Obama will tour the pyramids at Giza. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Bin Laden's Obama Criticism A Sign He Is Worried Jun 4, 2009
Still, in an apparent nod to rights concerns, the Obama administration invited several opponents of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to the Cairo speech. Ayman Nour, a top opposition leader who challenged Mubarak in 2005 elections, said he would attend. (CBS News -- World)
Obama set for Egypt speech Jun 4, 2009
Mr Obama was greeted by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and is holding a two-hour meeting before delivering his speech. OBAMA'S TOUR 3 June: Saudi Arabia - talks with King Abdullah on Israel-Palestinian peace negotiations 4 June: Egypt - talks with President Hosni Mubarak, keynote speech at Cairo university 5 June: Germany - meets Chancellor Angela Merkel, visits to Dresden and to Buchenwald concentration camp 6 June: France - meets President Nicolas Sarkozy, attends D-Day events in Normandy. (BBC News -- Americas)
What Obama will try to accomplish in Cairo Jun 4, 2009
Ahmed Saleh, an Egyptian democracy advocate who has been jailed under President Hosni Mubarak, says that his country experienced a kind of "spring" in rights and freedoms after Condoleezza Rice, then secretary of State, gave a speech on democracy in the Middle East in Cairo in 2005. "The pressure of that speech did lead to an opening up on freedoms and expression, and some people started to have a better image of the US," says Mr. Saleh, who was in Washington last month. (Christian Science Monitor)
Obama Visits Saudi King Before Speech Jun 4, 2009
Obama was prepared to discuss in some detail what needs to be done to resolve it," though by urging all sides to meet obligations already agreed upon, Rhodes said. That includes calling for a full halt to all growth in Jewish settlements in the Palestinian West Bank, the subject of a striking rift between the U.S. and Israel in recent days. It also includes telling Palestinians that anti-Israel rhetoric, and the violence it spawns, does not benefit their daily lives. Obama also was to call on... (Time.com)
Obama visits Saudi king before speech Jun 4, 2009
And he wasn t going to shy away from a hot topic the fact that he was to speak from Egypt, which has been under the iron rule of President Hosni Mubarak for nearly 30 years. Obama planned to salute Egypt s historically positive role in Mideast peacemaking, while also talking about the need for a better democratic and human rights model. (Sierra Vista Herald, AZ)
Pres. Obama Speaks From Cairo 6:10 a.m. EDT Jun 4, 2009
Obama Meets With Hosni Mubarak Before Speech ... CAIRO -- President Barack Obama discussed the quest for Middle East peace and Iran's disputed nuclear ambitions with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Thursday before delivering a dose of "truth-telling" about the often fraught relations between Americans and Muslims. (News4Jax.com, FL)
World Watch: Egypt Prepares For Obama's Visit Jun 4, 2009
An article published in al-Masry al-Youm (Independent Daily) today said that President Hosni Mubarak wont be attending Mr. Obamas speech at Cairo University, but would send his eldest son Jamal instead. Mubarak is thought by many local observers to be grooming Jamal to succeed him. (CBS News -- World)
Obama hopes to reach out to Muslims Jun 4, 2009
In addition to the university, he plans to visit Quba Palace for a meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and a mosque. Traffic is bad on an average day along the city's narrow streets. (USA Today)
US President Obama heads to Egypt Jun 4, 2009
Obama, also due to hold his first talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and to tour the Pyramids, was seeking to start a complete overhaul of the relationship between the United States and Islamic faithful. "There has been a breach, an undeniable breach between America and the Islamic world," said David Axelrod, Obama's top political advisor said in Saudi Arabia. (India Times, India)
Egypt: Obama Calls For a New Beginning With the Muslim World Jun 4, 2009
He met with Saudi King Abdullah June 3 in Riyadh before traveling on to Cairo for meetings with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. White House officials said this trip is an opportunity to continue the president s outreach both in the Middle East and in Europe, and it follows on visits to Washington on May 18 by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on May 28 on how to resume the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process. (allAfrica.com)
Egypt: Obama Reaches Out to Muslim World From Cairo Jun 4, 2009
After their meeting in Riyadh, Obama travels to Cairo June 4 for private consultations with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and then gives his much anticipated speech on the campus of Cairo University. The speech is being co-hosted by Al Azhar University. (allAfrica.com)
Obama arrives in Egypt seeking to heal rift with Islam Jun 4, 2009
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Muslim expectations high for Obama's speech Jun 4, 2009
"He is going to have to say this," Aslan said, "in the face of his host," President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, who has been in power for nearly three decades. "Is he the kind of man to do this? Yes. Will he actually do it? Unlikely.". (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- NCAA Basketball)
Obama's opportunity in Cairo Jun 4, 2009
Such a declaration might displease the Egyptian government of President Hosni Mubarak, which regards Hamas as a branch of the competing Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, but it would show a larger Muslim audience that America is ready to work with Islamist parties that come to power via the ballot box. Such parties usually moderate when faced with the responsibilities of governing. (Boston Globe)
Obama Arrives For "Truth-Telling" In Egypt Jun 4, 2009
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak talks to President Obama upon his arrival at 00004000 Qubba palace in Cairo Egypt, May 4, 2009 ... After spending the night at Saudi King Abdullah's horse farm in the desert outside Riyadh, Obama arrived in Egypt on Thursday to meet with President Hosni Mubarak at Qubba Palace before delivering a long-promised speech to an audience at Cairo University. (CBS News)
Obama Starts Mideast Trip In Saudi Arabia Jun 3, 2009
He also will hold talks with President Hosni Mubarak and visit a mosque. CBS News chief political consultant Marc Ambinder says in his "On The Marc" column that the White House's level of consultation with Arab countries about the timing, location (a modern college - in Egypt) and content of Mr. Obama's speech has been unprecedented. (CBS News -- US)
Obama faces delicate taskon first visit to Mideast Jun 3, 2009
Bush's message, coupled with his new programs, met with some initial success, as Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak held the country's first multiparty elections and other countries allowed unprecedented political participation. But Bush's democracy push - never popular with Middle Eastern governments - eventually alienated ordinary people, as he used it to justify the war in Iraq, and lost steam during his final years in office as Islamists began winning elections. (Boston Globe)
Obama to reach out to world's Muslims Jun 3, 2009
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has gotten tough with Israel and chosen Egypt, where President Hosni Mubarak rules with a firm hand, for his much-awaited overture to the Islamic world. On Thursday, Obama will deliver a speech in Cairo, setting the stage for what appears to be a break from decades of U.S. policy. (AZCentral -- News)
Obama launches maiden Middle East mission Jun 3, 2009
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Obama Goes To Egypt Jun 3, 2009
Vice President Hosni Mubarak took control. Throughout his 28-year reign, a wary Mubarak maintained peace with Israel and good relations with the U.S. But many in Egypt feel his leadership cost his people dearly. (CBS News)
Obama preps for Egypt Jun 3, 2009
But because of Egypt's long role as a peacemaker and U.S. ally, democratic nations have looked the other way while President Hosni Mubarak has ruled under emergency law for 28 years, imprisoning thousands of dissidents, political opponents and anyone else he wishes at will. "After a while," Farag says, "you know exactly what's going to be happening.". (USA Today)
Arab Reformers Fear Obama Will Abandon Democracy Jun 3, 2009
Faced with renewed intimidation, Egypt's best-known political reformer said his early release was serving as a fig leaf for President Hosni Mubarak's autocratic rule ... As Cairo prepares to welcome President Barack Obama on Thursday, when he's scheduled to deliver a major speech to the Arab world, politicians such as Nour are growing increasingly concerned that Obama will sacrifice democratic reforms in Egypt to shore up Mubarak in pursuit of the American president's broader Middle East agenda... (Newsmax)
Terror Monitor: Zawahiri Says "Obama Not Welcome In Egypt" Jun 3, 2009
Zawahiri directed part of his criticism at the Egyptian regime, accusing it of further tightening the blockade imposed on Palestinians in Gaza, and accusing Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak of grooming his elder son, Jamal, to succeed him as President," in order to maintain the corruption and the reliance on America, the Crusaders and the Jews.". Zawahiri, who previously called President Obama "a house negro" upon his election in December, said that only the corrupt "butchers and tyrants" of... (CBS News)
Israel, U.S. on collision course over settlement Jun 3, 2009
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attends a press conference after his meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo, capital of Egypt, on May 30, 2009 ... "Palestinians will not resume peace talks with Israel unless it stops settlements," said Abbas in a press conference hold after meeting President Hosni Mubarak on Saturday. (Xinhuanet, China)
Obama embarks on Mid-East mission Jun 3, 2009
OBAMA'S TOUR 3 June: Saudi Arabia - talks with King Abdullah on Israel-Palestinian peace negotiations 4 June: Egypt - talks with President Hosni Mubarak, keynote speech at Cairo university 5 June: Germany - meets Chancellor Angela Merkel, visits to Dresden and to Buchenwald concentration camp 6 June: France - meets President Nicolas Sarkozy, attends D-Day events in Normandy. To do this he needs Arab partners and this trip takes in two key nations - Saudi Arabia and Egypt. (BBC News -- Americas)
