Egypt Restates Commitment to Peace in the Middle East

Cairo, Dec 20 (NationPress) Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi engaged in multiple bilateral discussions with leaders from various Middle Eastern nations during the 11th Summit of the Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation, which took place in Egypt's new administrative capital. He reaffirmed the commitment to restore peace in the region.

On Thursday, Sisi and his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, denounced any efforts to forcibly displace Palestinians or undermine their cause, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency.

The leaders examined methods to restore tranquility in the Palestinian territories and discussed Egypt's initiatives to facilitate a ceasefire and deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, aiming to alleviate the ongoing humanitarian crisis and halt the violence, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Both leaders condemned Israel's ongoing violations in the West Bank, emphasizing that the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem are integral parts of the Palestinian state.

Al-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt's unwavering commitment to supporting the Palestinian populace and the creation of an independent Palestinian state based on the borders established on June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem serving as its capital.

Abbas commended Egypt's efforts towards achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, recognizing the nation's historic role in advocating for the Palestinian people's legitimate rights.

Additionally, President Sisi met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, marking the first visit by an Iranian president to Egypt in 11 years, to discuss enhancing bilateral relations and fostering peace in the region, as stated by the Egyptian presidency.

During their meeting, Sisi underscored the importance of reducing regional tensions and avoiding escalation, calling on all parties to act with prudence to safeguard the area from dangerous confrontations that could severely impact peace and security in the Middle East and globally.

The discussions also included the situation in Palestine, reviewing Egypt's efforts to implement a ceasefire and deliver humanitarian aid to the enclave.

Furthermore, Sisi held talks with Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati, emphasizing Egypt's dedication to reinforcing the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and the complete implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.

The Egyptian President reiterated Egypt's steadfast dedication to providing various forms of assistance to alleviate the hardships faced by the Lebanese people and to support the effective functioning of the country's institutions.

The discussions also addressed regional developments, with a focus on Egypt's efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza as a fundamental step towards restoring stability in the region. Both leaders expressed their commitment to Syria's stability, unity, and territorial integrity, along with the safety and security of its citizens.

They cautioned against the escalation of the conflict, emphasizing the necessity for all parties to act with wisdom and responsibility to restore regional peace.