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The Consul General of the Arab Republic of Egypt will visit Sonoma Thursday, April 3, and is expected to propose a possible sister city relationship with one of Egypt's major cities.

His Excellency Ambassador Abderahman Salaheldin, accompanied by his wife Dr. Thoraya Mohamed Elkhadrawy, will be formally received at City Hall at noon by Sonoma Mayor Joanne Sanders. The agenda calls for a discussion of Sonoma's economic importance in the region and a review of its historic significance. To that end, newly appointed city historian George McKale will also be present. Plans for the visit include a stroll through the Plaza and a tour of the historic Sonoma Mission and Barracks. A brief reception will be held at the Swiss Hotel followed by lunch at the Girl and the Fig, hosted by Sonoma residents, Sherri Ferris and Carol Blackman, of Protocol Professionals, Inc.

Salaheldin is in charge of Egypt's consular office in San Francisco, which serves the needs of Egyptians and Egyptian-Americans in 11 western states. His office estimates there are some 250,000 members of the Egyptian-American community in the western United States. A seasoned diplomat, Salaheldin has held posts as First Secretary of the Egyptian embassy in Washington, D.C., as member of the cabinet of the Egyptian Foreign Minister, director of U.N. Affairs of Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and deputy assistant minister of Foreign Affairs for North America.

Speaking of the consul general's visit, Sanders said in a press release, "It's important that Sonoma outreach to the international community through our sister cities relationships and by extending invitations to visiting dignitaries.  We have an economy that relies on tourism, agriculture and exports and, with our proximity to San Francisco, I want to do what I can to promote cross cultural understanding and goodwill with the international community."

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