Sisi, Starmer stress need to reach ceasefire in Gaza
Both leaders condemn recent Israeli attack on Qatar
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi reiterated on Thursday Egypt’s categorical rejection of any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians from their land, emphasising that such actions would constitute a direct threat to regional peace and could lead to unprecedented waves of illegal migration to Europe.
He warned that such developments would undermine the foundations of regional peace and security, and reaffirmed Egypt’s unwavering stance in support of the rights of the Palestinian people.
President Sisi made these remarks during a phone call he received on Thursday from UK Prime Ministe, Keir Starmer, during which the two leaders discussed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and broader regional issues.
During the call, President Sisi stressed the urgent need for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza, the facilitation of unhindered humanitarian aid into the Strip, and the release of hostages and detainees.
He also reaffirmed Egypt’s welcome of the United Kingdom’s announcement of its intention to recognise the State of Palestine this September, describing it as a significant and positive step toward supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people — most notably, their right to establish their independent state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He noted that such a move is consistent with international legitimacy and contributes to global efforts aimed at realising the two-state solution as the only path toward lasting peace and stability in the region, said the Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed el-Shennawy.
He added that the call also addressed various aspects of the bilateral relationship between Egypt and the United Kingdom.
In this respect, the two sides reviewed ongoing co-operation and agreed to deepen their strategic partnership, particularly in the fields of trade and investment, in a manner that serves the mutual interests of both countries and supports their respective development goals.
For his part, Prime Minister Starmer said he looked forward to making his scheduled visit to Egypt at the earliest opportunity.
On regional developments, President Sisi and Prime Minister Starmer exchanged views on several key crises, underlining the importance of resolving them through diplomatic and peaceful means. They emphasised the need to safeguard the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of states, and to protect the resources and rights of their peoples.
Prime Minister Starmer expressed his appreciation for Egypt’s continued mediation efforts, in coordination with the State of Qatar and the United States, to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid, and help bring an end to the humanitarian catastrophe in the Strip.
Both leaders also strongly condemned the recent Israeli attack on the State of Qatar, denouncing it as a blatant violation of international law and a breach of the principle of respect for state sovereignty.
