Geneva, Asharq Al-Awsat- – Following the terrorist bombings last night the World Economic Forum has issued the following statement concerning its planned meeting in Egypt next month:

The Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab has written to President Mubarak to express his deep sympathy with the Egyptian Government and people.

“The immediate temptation would have been to cancel our Forum in Egypt next month, but for the sake of a more peaceful future for humankind we have to show our solidarity by holding this meeting. We must demonstrate to the world that political and economic leaders take on their responsibility to work for a more harmonious and prosperous development of the Middle East – despite all the challenges and difficulties,” he said.

The World Economic Forum has organized meetings in the Middle East for many years – last year the Forum was in Jordan. This year, in cooperation with the Egyptian government, 1,000 participants from the highest levels of business, government and civil society will come together in Sharm-El-Sheikh to take decisions to help shape the regional agenda.