Rice arrives in southern Egypt's Luxor for talks with Mubarak

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Luxor in southern Egypt on Monday on a day-long visit for talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak among others.

According to MENA, Rice and Mubarak are expected to discuss efforts to revive the Middle East peace process.

She will also hold a meeting with Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif to be attended by Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit.

In addition, the U.S. top diplomat, due to leave later in the day, will also meet Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa to discuss the Mideast peace and a new plan on Iraq presented by U.S. President George W. Bush last week.

Last Wednesday, Bush announced in Washington that he was increasing U.S. troops in Iraq by 21,500 in an attempt to change the course of the war.

Earlier in the day, Rice met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the two agreed to hold a three-way meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas soon.

During her on-going Middle East tour started on Saturday, Rice has already met with senior Israeli officials, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Jordanian King Abdullah II to discuss peace in the region.

Rice's Mideast tour will also take her to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Source: Xinhua