The Washington Hilton hotel hosted Thursday the 59th National Prayer Breakfast, which was attended by over 3,000 guests, MIA reports.

The guests included world leaders, politicians, businessmen from over 100 countries as well as US congressmen and senators.

The National Prayer Breakfast, which was held under heightened security, was opened by Virginia Congressman Randy Forbes and guests were welcomed by US President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, who were joined by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), Admiral Michael Mullen and former speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.

At the National Prayer Breakfast President Obama addressed the Egyptian crisis.

"We pray that the violence in Egypt will end, and that the rights and aspirations of the Egyptian people will be realized, and that a better day will dawn over Egypt and throughout the world," he said.

In addition to President Gjorge Ivanov, the Macedonian delegation attending the event also includes Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska, Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Nexhati Jakupi, MPs Vlatko Gjorcev, Hristina Runceva and Slavica Grkova, as well as Vilma Trajkovska - the wife of late President Boris Trajkovski - and Supreme Court president Jovo Angelovski.

For Ivanov the event was also an opportunity to lobby with the US administration for support of settling Skopje-Athens name row.

Prior to the Prayer Breakfast, Ivanov had informal meetings with US officials, including the Vice President. Ivanov and Biden shared opinions on the developments in SEE region and Macedonia's NATO membership.

MP Gjorcev held informal talks with Admiral Mullen, who praised the participation of Macedonian troops in international missions.

Today Ivanov is also scheduled to meet Congressman Robert Aderholt and visit the Capitol Hill.

On Wednesday, a reception was organised in the Macedonian embassy in Washington, which was attended by numerous guests from USA, Austria, Great Britain. Ivanov also met with representatives of Macedonia's diaspora.