I didn't want to be a slave to any passion anymore. I gave up card playing altogether, even bridge and gambling - more or less. It took me a few years to get out of it.

The reason it has relevance is because I, as a popular Arab personality - the Arab people like me and respect me - thought it was time for me to make an ever so tiny statement about what I thought about this whole thing.

I don't know what women are attracted to. I can't tell, but certainly I have no notion of having sex appeal or being seductive in any way.

I've always been extremely lucky in my life.

People don't have to be beautiful any more. We don't have any Audrey Hepburns, Rita Hayworths or Ava Gardeners. When you look at Al Pacino and the greatest actors in Hollywood they're all common-looking.

I never fell in love with another woman. I cannot have a relationship with a woman if I'm not in love...I'm a very particular person, I'm not very much interested in short adventures with women or girls. I have to fall in love with someone in order to have a realtionship with her.

There are lots of wonderful old Italian actors. You don't need to take an Egyptian to play an Italian actor.