Egypt's battle against polio has been long. But the level of campaigning has been such that we have at last reaped the benefits.

All our campaigns have counted on the support of independent monitors. In addition, collaboration between the WHO, the Ministry of Health and high-level officials including the First Lady Suzanne Mubarak has rendered our work all the more efficient.

Over a year has passed since the last sample of polio was found here. We can safely say that we have successfully eradicated polio in Egypt.

It is a place to ponder on worlds within worlds.

That's not much to pay to gain admission to an earthly paradise. And who would not want to dwell for a little while in a place that conjures up images of a thousand and one Arabian nights?

It is from the quiet and secluded scene of beauty found in the Arabian court-garden that Arabic poetry traces its beginnings.