July 21, 2003	Monday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 20, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, July 20: Palestinian President Yasser Arafat talked to former prime minister Benazir Bhutto by telephone. During the conversation they discussed the Middle East situation.

According to a press release issued here on Sunday PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto has returned to Dubai after participating in the Socialist International‘s conference in Rome.

The press release, however, did not give any details of the telephonic conversation between Mr Arafat and Ms Benazir, beyond that it related to the Middle East crisis.

During her two-day stay in Rome the Palestinian foreign secretary also called on Ms Bhutto. During the meeting the Palestinian foreign secretary also placed a telephone call to Yasser Arafat who spoke with Benazir Bhutto over Middle East crisis.

Ms Bhutto was invited to speak on civil society and women‘s participation in the political process at the Socialist International Conference.

Italian prime minister also hosted reception for Benazir Bhutto and her delegates which included Raja Pervez Ashraf Deputy Parliamentary leader of the Party in the National Assembly, Khawaja Shafique president PPP UK and Fiaz Chaudhry of PPP France.

Ms Bhutto‘s engagements in Rome also included addressing a press conference. The future of a democratic Iraq and peace in the Middle East has been the central concerns of Socialist International in recent times. Its secretary-general also visited Iraq.