Egypt and Libya have always maintained strategic relations, especially in light of contacts between President Mubarak and Libyan Leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi, Egyptian Tourism Minister Mamdouh Al Beltagui said.

Such relations constitute a solid basis for further upping the level of cooperation between Egypt and Libya in the various domains, especially tourism, Beltagui stressed.

Tourism relations embody the keenness of the Egyptian and Libyan peoples on strengthening historic ties, he said.

Beltagui`s statements came during a meeting with representatives of the Egyptian tourism public and private sectors as part of preparations for an Egyptian tourist promotion convoy to head for Libya on May 26.

During the meeting, the Egyptian Minister reviewed the development of Libyan tourism influx to Egypt over the years.

A significant development occurred in 2001 when some 165,000 Libyan tourists visited Egypt where they spent 536,000 tourist nights, the Minister said.

In 2003, some 305,000 Libyan tourists visited Egypt, said the Minister, adding that Libya ranked first among Arab tourism exporting countries.