Sisi, Abbas tackle Palestinian issue in Sharm El-Sheikh

CAIRO – 3 November 2018: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi met Nov. 3 with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his accompanying delegation on the sidelines of the World Youth Forum, taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh.

The meeting focused on the latest updates pertaining to the Palestinian issue, primarily the national reconciliation, in light of the recent developments at the domestic, regional and international levels, said presidential spokesperson Bassam Radi.

Radi added that President Sisi reiterated "Egypt stands an unwavering position regarding the Palestinian issue, which is based on the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital."

Sisi underscored Egypt's commitment to supporting Palestinian efforts to restore the rights of the Palestinian people and reach just and comprehensive solutions to the Palestinian issue.

"This shall be taking place in close coordination with the Palestinian brothers in order to create opportunities to positively move toward an environment conducive to stability on the ground, primarily by pushing forward national reconciliation efforts and promoting confidence building between the Palestinian actors to unite their ranks and efforts," Radi noted in a statement issued Nov. 3.

For his part, the Palestinian president expressed appreciation and gratitude for Egypt's genuine efforts and valued endeavors to support the Palestinian issue. He commended Egypt's historic role in this regard as well as its firm and ongoing efforts to reach a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause.

"President Abbas asserted that this demonstrates the profound and special relations between Egyptians and Palestinians as well as the longstanding bonds that the two peoples share," according to a statement issued by the Palestinian presidency office.

President Sisi and President Abbas agreed to continue intensive consultations and coordination, particularly in following up the next moves to unite the Palestinian factions in accordance with the reconciliation agreement reached in October 2017 to contribute to realizing the aspirations of the Palestinian people and enable them to build their independent state and secure a better future for the coming generations.