Berlin - Israeli conductor Daniel Barenboim is to perform in Egypt for the first time next week, the foundation he jointly heads said on Friday. Barenboim will conduct the Cairo Symphony Orchestra at a concert in the Egyptian capital's Opera House on April 16, the foundation said.

Supported by Austria and Spain, the concert is part of the conductor's efforts to promote dialogue in the Middle East. On the programme are piano solos and Beethoven's
5th Symphony.

Barenboim, musical director at the Berlin State Opera, said he wanted to draw attention to the "obstruction of the Palestinian Culture Festival in Jerusalem" by Israeli officials.

The recent arrest of 20 festival workers was "a sign of fear" of cultural expression by the Palestinians and showed the Israeli government as "an enemy of culture," said the conductor, who was born in Argentina and has a Palestinian passport as well as Israeli citizenship.

Jerusalem has been chosen Arab Capital of Culture for 2009.

A dialogue of cultures was always possible said Barenboim, pointing to the West-East Divan Orchestra he founded with Palestinian literature expert Edward Said. The orchestra is made up of young Arab and Israeli musicians.

Barenboim said he wanted to send a signal of solidarity against injustice.(dpa)