Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit received Wednesday his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store currently visiting Egypt.

The two sides' talks dealt with the latest developments in the Middle East mainly the revival of peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians.

Abul Gheit expressed on Wednesday concern about the deteriorating situation in Somalia, calling on the transitional Somali government to prepare for a national reconciliation conference soon.

Alan Hadidi, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman, said that talks covered the outcome of the International Contact Group on Somalia (ICGS)'s meeting that was held in Cairo on Tuesday.
Abul-Gheit warned that the ongoing foreign presence in Somalia would further complicate the already-tense situation there, urging more unified efforts so that the Somalis would live in peace and stability.

In order to succeed, national reconciliation in Somalia must involve all factions, Abul Gheit said.

The spokesman said Abul Gheit's talks with his Norwegian counterpart also covered efforts to revive the Middle East peace process.

Abul Gheit called for resuming Palestinian-Israeli negotiations to discuss all final settlement issues.

He reiterated the Arab side's commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative of the 2002 Beirut Summit.