El-Sisi urges Gaza ceasefire in call with UK's Starmer - Foreign Affairs

Al-Ahram Weekly

a day ago

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi called for immediate steps toward a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza and the acceleration of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians during a phone call on Thursday with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency.
The presidency added that El-Sisi warned that the current de-escalation must not be wasted, stressing the need for "concrete measures" to halt the Israeli war on Gaza and address the deepening humanitarian catastrophe in the Strip.
The two leaders discussed regional developments, particularly the fragile calm following the recent ceasefire between Israel and Iran, and emphasised the importance of preventing renewed escalation.
They also stressed the need for all parties to uphold the truce and return to negotiations as the only viable path to resolving the crisis.
In addition, the two sides emphasized the importance of avoiding military escalation to preserve regional stability, protect the resources and lives of the region's people, and prevent further expansion of the conflict.
El-Sisi, continued the presidency's statement, reiterated Egypt's position that a lasting solution requires a complete Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Palestinian territories and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the borders of 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He also urged the international community to assume its legal and moral responsibilities in pursuing a just and comprehensive solution based on international legitimacy and law.
Furthermore, the presidency noted that El-Sisi informed Starmer that he has accepted King Charles III's invitation to visit London. He invited the British Prime Minister to visit Egypt later this year.
Moreover, according to the statement, PM Starmer praised Egypt's ongoing efforts to support peace and stability in the Middle East and affirmed the UK's interest in maintaining close coordination and consultation with Cairo on regional issues of mutual concern.
During the call, the two leaders reaffirmed the strength of Egyptian-British relations and their shared commitment to enhancing cooperation across multiple fields, particularly in the economic and investment sectors.
They also emphasized the importance of building on the historic ties between the two nations to serve the mutual interests of their peoples, the Egyptian presidency's statement read.
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