The Egyptian foreign ministry has confirmed confirmed that it will host an international conference at the Red Sea resort town of Sharm El Sheikh in November, aimed at bringing peace to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. According to the ministry, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has invited the quartet of Russia, the European Union (EU), the US and the UN to the conference. The exact dates for the meeting have yet to be announced. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said earlier that he expected the meeting would be held at ministerial levels with the participation of Israeli and Palestinian officials. Egypt has been a leading force in the current negotiations between the quartet and Israeli and Palestinian diplomats. Cairo believes it is uniquely positioned to act as middle-man for the peace talks as it has good relations with both Israel and Palestine.
