Mahlab's visit to Equatorial Guinea hailed

Egypt's ambassador in Equatorial Guinea Mohamed Qazim said Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab's visit to the African country was important.

In statements to MENA, Qazim said the trip comes at "a special timing" as the prime minister will take part in an international conference on Ebola.

This is in addition to a meeting the premier will have with the president of Equatorial Guinea, said the diplomat, adding that Mahlab will hand over an official invitation from President Abdel Fatah El Sisi to President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to attend the planned inauguration of the new Suez Canal.

The opening is scheduled on August 6.

While there, the premier will also open the new compound of the Egyptian embassy in Equatorial Guinea, said the ambassador.

He will meet with members of the Egyptian community in Malabo, said Qazim.

The new embassy building was established by Arab Contractors of Egypt.

Mahlab is also set to witness the signing of a protocol to build a pharmaceutical factory in the economic capital of Equatorial Guinea.

The project, on a total area of 100,000 square meters, will be the first Egyptian pharmaceutical factory in Africa.

Egyptian physicians will be hired in the factory.