President Mubarak said that the people of Egypt do not differentiate between Muslims and Christians and that is capable of compromising Egypt's national unity.

 This came in a comment by the President on the Alexandria incident at his meeting with thirty members of the People's Assembly and Shura Council from the governorates of Suez, Ismailia, Port Said and Dakahlia.

The President said he has been working since he assumed power to deepen equality between Muslims and Christians, stressing that it is important to respect places of worship.

The President said he has never rejected Christian requests for building new churches.

"We, Muslims and Christians should respect  each others' feelings. Some would encourage troublemaking, the President said.

He stressed the importance of maintaining Egypt's interests, stability, and security and described these issues as indisputable. Egypt, he added, will never deploy Egyptian troops abroad saying that he cannot take any action in this respect without parliament consent.

On Egyptian-US relations, the President said that they are based on mutual respect, understanding and mutual interests.

He added that Egypt does not accept either interference in or pressure regarding its domestic affairs.