Both state-run and independent newspapers lead with the story of President Mubarak’s meeting with US Vice President Joe Biden in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, to discuss regional tension over a deadly Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound aid convoy. During the meeting Mubarak asserted the importance of creating an independent Palestinian state and ending Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. The two statesmen also discussed how to strengthen American-Egyptian relations, including increasing economic cooperation, Al-Ahram and Rose el-Youssef report.
Al-Ahram and Al-Akhbar both write that Amr Moussa, secretary-general for the Arab League, is organizing a one-day visit to Gaza within a couple of days to support the Palestinians and find a way renew peace talks.
Today the Egyptian Lawyers Syndicate is organizing a general strike in response to the arrest of two lawyers by security forces in the delta city of Tanta for allegedly assaulting the local public prosecutor, according to Al-Wafd paper, which reports that tomorrow the court of Tanta will look over the files of those lawyers. The problem arose originally last Saturday when a fight occurred between the lawyers and the chief police officer; Gharbia lawyers then went on strike saying the police officer had assaulted their colleague, the paper reports.
Al-Wafd also writes that, in response to a dispute between the Egyptian courts and the Coptic Church regarding a judicial decision stating that divorced Copts have the right to remarry, Pope Shenouda III is holding a press conference today at the Papal Residence.
Today also sees a re-run of Shura council’s elections for ten seats in five governorates, with the results due on Thursday, according to Al-Akhbar.
Egypt’s newspapers:
Al-Ahram: Daily, state-run, largest distribution in Egypt
Al-Akhbar: Daily, state-run, second to Al-Ahram in institutional size
Al-Gomhorriya: Daily, state-run
Rose el-Youssef: Daily, state-run, close to the National Democratic Party’s Policies Secretariat
Al-Dostour: Daily, privately owned
Al-Shorouq: Daily, privately owned
Al-Wafd: Daily, published by the liberal Wafd Party
Al-Arabi: Weekly, published by the Arab Nasserist party
Youm7: Weekly, privately owned
Sawt el-Umma: Weekly, privately owned
