原文如下：
Egypt to settle $1.5B owed to oil firms
CAIRO ? Egypt's prime minister says his government has committed to
pay what amounts to 24 percent of the total arrears it owes foreign
oil companies in a bid to restore investor confidence in an economy
damaged by nearly three years of unrest.
Hazem el-Beblawi was speaking Wednesday at an investors' forum that
brought to Cairo businessmen and officials from the Gulf countries.
El-Beblawi said his government approved settling $1.5 billion it
owed to foreign oil firms. Petroleum ministry spokesman Hamdy
Abdel-Aziz said the latest figure for money owed to oil companies
stood at $6.2 billion.
El-Beblawi also urged investors to show patience with unrest-hit
Egypt. He added that the government is on track to restore political
and economic stability, and has realized a "milestone" by completing
amendments to the country's constitution.
