Dear Comrades

I would like, first of all, to thank the Lebanese Communist Party for their invitation to participate in this meeting, to thank the friendly and warm manner we are being received here in Beirut and underline the political importance and the opportunity of this initiative.

Since early morning today both downtown Cairo, and the main squares in the city, have been occupied by special security forces, anti-riot forces, and security personnel wearing civilian uniforms. In other cities, such as Alexandria and Algharbia, inhabitants have witnessed a heavy security force presence in the main squares and streets.

Dear Comrades and friends

Allow me to begin by thanking you for inviting PCP and salute the CPU for their organization of this important initiative that coincides with the beginning of the NATO summit in Bucharest, where predictably NATO will take further steps in its process of expansion towards the euro-asian "vital space".

In the name of the PCP, I would like to thank all those present in this act which, although symbolic, has a great importance. Today we are observing the five years of the beginning of the War in Iraq.