A group of nine Egyptian Ministers have visited Suez City for the first time since the Israeli withdrawal. They reported on the needs of the inhabitants of the war torn area after their tour on Wednesday (30 January).

The included Minister of the Interior El Sayed Mamduh Salem. On Thursday (31 January) the Egyptian Cabinet met to discuss the reconstruction of the city. Suez was badly damaged during the 1967 war and again in last October's war.

President Anwar Sadat has given clear instructions that the reconstruction of the canal towns of Suez, Quantara, Ismailia and Port Said should be given top priority.

Long convoys of food, water, medicine and other essentials have been leaving Cairo daily for Suez.

On their visit to Suez city the Egyptian Ministers saw a display of captured Israeli weapons and placed wreaths of flowers on the grave of Egyptian soldiers killed in the fighting.