French president to visit Egypt’s parliament Monday
French President Francois Hollande will visit Egypt’s parliament during his trip to the country next week, and may give a speech to lawmakers, parliamentary officials said on Friday.
Informed officials said Hollande will come to parliament at 3pm on Monday. “But we can’t say for sure if Holland will attend a part of parliament’s session – which will be held on Monday to discuss the government’s programme – or deliver a speech like Saudi King Salman bin AbdulAziz who addressed Egypt’s parliament on 10 April,” said an informed source.
Hollande will visit Egypt on Sunday and Monday for meetings with President al-Sisi; the two are expected to sign a number of economic deals.
Sources said parliamentary speaker Ali Abdel-Al and his two deputies El-Sayed El-Sherif and Soliman Wahdan, as well as representatives of major political forces, will receive President Hollande and hold a meeting with him.
Sources added that after the meeting President Hollande will be given a tour of the parliament’s historical building and museum. Part of Egypt’s parliament – the old Shura Council – was built more than 150 years ago, while the other part – the current House of Representatives – was built 93 years ago.
Sources also disclosed that a special presidential guard will take control of the parliament building during Hollande’s visit.
Hollande will be the seventh world leader to visit Egypt’s new parliament since it held its first session on 10 January, following the presidents of China, Iraq, Macedonia, Guinea, Togo, and the king of Saudi Arabia.
A number of parliamentary speakers have also visited Egypt’s parliament, notably the speakers of the Russian parliament and the US House of Representatives.
source: Ahram Online
