FM's Egypt, Bahrain discuss developments in Palestinian arena on phone

CAIRO - 22 May 2020: Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received a phone call on Saturday from his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, during which they tackled the latest developments in the Palestinian arena.

The phone conversation comes within the framework of the constant consultations and coordination between both sides, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Hafez.

Both sides asserted the importance of continuing coordination between both countries regarding the developments of the Palestinian issue, including the reconstruction efforts in Gaza given President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's initiative to allocate a sum of $500 million for this purpose.

The conversation also touched on the importance of immediately going ahead with the path of achieving a political settlement and reviving the peace process.

The two ministers also discussed the distinguished bilateral ties binding between Egypt and Bahrain and means to foster them in various fields as per the directives of both countries' political leaderships. 

Cairo succeeded, Thursday to secure ceasefire in Gaza. The mutually-agreed suspension of fire came into force at 2 a.m. Palestine local time on May 21.

As per Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directives, two security delegations arrived in Palestinian and Israeli territories to consolidate the ceasefire in Gaza.

The Egyptian security delegations called on the two sides to adhere to the Cairo-brokered ceasefire in Gaza.

The Palestinian factions expressed gratitude to Egypt for its efforts to reach the ceasefire and told the Egyptian security delegation that it would abide by the truce commitments.

The Palestinian factions expressed to the delegation their appreciation of Egypt’s move to open the Rafah crossing to receive the injured Palestinians and send humanitarian aid.

The Palestinian and Israeli sides called on Egypt to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire, saying they adhere to the Egyptian de-escalation efforts.

Regional and international parties welcomed the ceasefire that was reached as a result of the Egyptian efforts exerted during the past period.

US President joe Biden on Thursday thanked Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and hailed the efforts exerted by the Egyptian senior politicians to reach a ceasefire in Gaza in remarks from the White House.

“I extend my sincere gratitude to president El-Sisi and the senior Egyptian officials who played such a critical role in this diplomacy”, Biden said.