Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will discuss the Palestinian issue with US President Donald Trump during his upcoming visit to Washington in early April, the president said on Monday.
Sisi stressed the importance of the US administration playing a central role in caretaking the peace process, leading to the resumption of negotiations to end the conflict and establish a Palestinian state.
The president's comments came today as he received his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas at the presidential palace.
The Palestinian issue remains a top priority for Egyptian foreign policy as the central Arab cause, Sisi said, reiterating Egypt's firm stance on the issue, according to a press statement from presidency spokesman Alaa Youssef.
Sisi noted Egypt's quest to find permanent peace, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem.
He put an emphasis on the unity of the Arab position, which is based on the Arab peace initiative, as a key element in reaching a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue.
Youssef said President Abbas expressed his thanks and appreciation for President Sisi's invitation, and praised the Egyptian efforts in finding a solution to the Palestinian issue, as well as Egypt's various moves to provide protection for the Palestinian people and achieve Palestinian national unity.
The Palestinian president also stressed his continued desire for consultation and coordination with Sisi at this time, ahead of the Arab summit in Jordan. He hopes the summit's outcomes include resolutions to support Arab unity and contribute to providing practical solutions to the problems dogging the Arab region, especially the Palestinian cause.
Youssef said the Palestinian president was keen to inform Sisi about recent Palestinian contact with the new US administration, highlighting the Palestinian side's commitment to a comprehensive solution with Israel.
