"The Palestinian problem is getting complicated, seven months after convening the Annapolis meeting," Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit said.

He further said there are no indications that a final peace agreement could be reached by the end of this year.

He called on all parties to rise up to their responsibilities especially the United States in its capacity as the host of the meeting.

He said Israel should decide whether it would go ahead with a sincere peace process that could lead to the establishment of a viable and independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital or to go ahead with settlement policy and this generates more frustration.

He said Egypt is exerting faithful efforts for reaching a just and comprehensive solution to the tragedy of the Palestinian people.

Moreover, Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit received Wednesday 14/5/2008 a delegation representing the NATO Parliamentary Mediterranean Group currently on a three-day visit to Egypt.

The two sides discussed Middle East developments and crises, especially Lebanon and Palestine, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossam Zaki said.

Abul-Gheit expounded Egypt's viewpoints on the Middle East and relations with NATO, he said.

The delegation also met with People's Assembly Speaker Ahmed Fathi Sorour.

Sorour discussed with the delegation the economic and political reforms introduced in Egypt under President Hosni Mubarak, including the constitutional amendments which strengthened the principle of democracy.

Responding to a question by a member of the delegation about the People's Assembly's legislative system, Sorour affirmed Egypt's keenness on the freedom of expression for all lawmakers irrespective of their partisan affiliation.

While in Egypt, the delegation will meet with senior officials of Egypt's People's Assembly and civil society organizations.

A round table will be held between the delegation and members of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs (ECFA) on Thursday.

The delegation's Cairo visit is part of a series of visits to some Middle East and North Africa countries for talks on political and security issues.