Egypt has asked its ambassador to the Vatican, Lamia Mekheimar,
to resume work on 23 February, said Hossam Zaki, the Egyptian Foreign
Ministry's spokesperson.
Mekheimar was recalled for discussion in mid January, to protest Pope
Benedict XVI statements calling for the protection of Egyptian Copts.
In a press statement, Zaki said that the Vatican's ambassador to
Egypt had expressed the Vatican aspiration to turn over a new leaf with
Egypt.
He also said Egypt appreciates the many positive messages from
several Vatican officials.
Pope Benedict XVI had called for the protection of Christians in
Egypt and Iraq, and called on governments in the Middle East to protect
their Christian minorities after two recent attacks that targeted
Christians.
Twenty-three Copts were killed and scores injured in an attack on
the Church of St. Mark and St. Peter in Alexandria on New Year's Eve.