More re Farouk Hosni nomination for UNESCO

Egypt State Information Service

Prime Minister, Ahmed Nazif, stressed on 22/9/2007 the government support for candidature of the Culture Minister Farouk Hosni for the post of Director-General of UNESCO, and the necessary efforts for the various ministries to coordinate the international and Arab efforts to support this candidature.

The Spokesman of the cabinet, Magdy Rady, added that Dr. Ahmed Nazif received a report from Minister Farouk Hosni over achievements of the Ministry in the framework of following up carrying out the electoral programme of the President Mubarak, regarding activities of the culture sector, which includes 5 axis: translation of specialized books, considering the physical dimensions and restoration of archaeological sites, the development of tourist destinations, artistic fields development and the development and establishment of museums.

Culture Minister Farouk Hosni has urged Arabs to rally behind one candidate to head UNESCO.

"I respect Morocco's decision to nominate a candidate for the post," Hosni said.

"If Morocco is really serious about nominating its representative to the UN cultural organization, then let's wait for voting on the post," he added.

"But I hoped that Arabs would have stand united so that the prestigious post would go to one of them," he said.

Hosni said the competition must be fair.

Hosni hailed Oman's withdrawal of its candidate for the unity of Arabs.

"But to my mind, Egypt's heavyweight stature and President Hosni Mubarak's prestige are the main guarantee to secure the post," he said.

The Arab League has not picked a candidate and left both Egypt and Morocco pressing ahead with their nominations.