President of Egypt Husni Mubarak received at the presidential palace on Wednesday, 18 April, visiting Uzbek President Islam Karimov.

The great guest was accorded a red carpet reception upon his arrival at the palace and shook hands with senior Egyptian officials lining up to greet him, including Prime Minister Ahmad Nazif and Minister of Defence and Military Production Field Marshal Husayn Tantawi.  

The Uzbek leader started a three-day official visit to Egypt on 17 April.

Also present to welcome Karimov at the presidential premises were Finance Minister Butrus Ghali, Information Minister Anas al-Fiqi and Minister of Administrative Development Ahmad Darwish, the head of the mission of honour escorting him during his stay in Egypt, in addition to Investment Minister Mahmud Muhiddin and Minister of Higher Education Hani Hilal.  

The Uzbek president is being accompanied during his visit to Egypt by a large delegation including the deputy premier and minister of higher education, the foreign minister and the minister of foreign economic affairs, investment and trade in addition to other senior officials.  

Egypt’s first lady, Mrs Suzanne Mubarak, gave a warm welcome to President Karimov’s espouse at the palace.