Cairo, March 15, 2010, SPA -- Catherine Ashton, the European Union's top diplomat, on Monday began a week-long tour of the Middle East, her first visit to the region since assuming her post. Ashton arrived in Egypt on Sunday evening, beginning a schedule that will take her to Israel, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, according to a report of the German Press Agency "DPA" "I am going to the region with a clear message to encourage all actors to engage in talks that lead us to a comprehensive regional peace," she said in a statement ahead of her visit. She began her visit this morning by meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit and the head of intelligence, Omar Suleiman. Ashton is scheduled to meet with Arab League chief Amr Moussa, and to address the Arab League, in the afternoon. --SPA 13:16 LOCAL TIME 10:16 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/758720