America's first lady Laura Bush encouraged leading Egyptian women to continue speaking out for equality and peace Tuesday as she concluded a Mideast tour.
"And I know from visiting women around the world, from visiting with Palestinian women this week and Israeli women this week that women want to be involved in civil society," she told the women who have influential positions in Egyptian government, academia and culture.
"Women want to be able to contribute to their countries, just like men do, and that women want peace."
Laura Bush made a final stop at the Bibliotheca Alexandria, built near the site of the ancient library destroyed in the 1st century. Earlier, she visited a school for girls and spoke to women to underscore two of her main themes she wanted to promote on the trip, education and gender equality.
However, Mrs. Bush also got involved in more controversial issues in the region during her five-day tour, drawing Israeli and Palestinian protesters during visits to Jerusalem's holy sites and praising disputed election changes in Egypt.
Egyptians vote Wednesday on a referendum that would amend the constitution to allow for the country's first multi-candidate presidential election in September. But leading opposition groups object to the plan, saying they are being kept out of the process that they say is designed to keep President Mubarak's ruling party in power.
Mrs. Bush praised Mubarak on Monday as "bold and wise" for taking the initial step in opening the process after facing no opposing candidates in the 24 years since he's been elected, The AP reported.
She didn't mention the referendum Tuesday morning, but praised Mubarak's leadership while addressing the women at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.
"I want to just tell you again how important Egypt and our relationship with Egypt is, how strong our friendship is and long-standing our friendship is, and how much we appreciate everything President Mubarak and Egypt does in promoting peace," she said.
