News In Brief

Egyptian President welcomed on a historic visit to Jordan

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak arrived here Tuesday to an embrace from King Hussein, who two weeks ago defied Arab hard-liners by restoring diplomatic ties with Egypt. The trip to Jordan is the first by an Egyptian president since Egypt signed its 1979 peace treaty with Israel.

Mr. Mubarak's chief political adviser, Osama al-Baz, was quoted as saying that Egypt does not insist on the Camp David accords as the sole framework for future steps toward a comprehensive Arab-Israeli settlement. He said Egypt's obligations under the Camp David accords with Israel cannot be at the expense of its commitment to defend Arab security - described as the basis of Egyptian policy.