Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit expressed on Sunday4/2/2007 "shock and pain" over the killings and horrible destruction currently taking place in Iraq.

Scores of innocent Iraqis are being killed and wounded in the ongoing acts of violence carried out by some groups that do not belong to the Iraqi people or any religion, he said.

Speaking to diplomatic editors, Abul Gheit said he fully condemned such savage acts that spread panic, cause division among the Iraqis and push the country into a civil war.

Abul Gheit underlined the importance of preserving the unity of Iraq, saying this will only take place through a national reconciliation process that would take into consideration every side's interests.

He warned that the situation in Iraq was starting to take a serious curve unless all powers resorted to dialogue and reconciliation. He reiterated Egypt's support of Iraq and its rejection of violence and terrorism.

Moreover, Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit and Minister Omar Suleiman head for Washington on Monday 5/2/2007on a two-day important visit to the US for talks with the US administration officials.

The two senior Egyptian officials' visit to Washington acquires a major importance as it comes following the meeting of the Quartet whose final communiqué called for ending the Israeli occupation and reaching a comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Their talks will focus on Egypt's pivotal role in the reconciliation among the Palestinian factions and formation of a new national unity government.