In the wake of the pager explosions in Lebanon, Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has told US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken that Cairo rejects any attempts at escalation in the region.
This came as the President met with Blinken. Blinken landed in Cairo early on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, as part of a planned trip to the region to attempt to secure an elusive ceasefire in Gaza.
On his 10th trip to the Middle East since the start of the war in Gaza nearly a year ago, Blinken will address negotiation efforts with Egyptian officials, according to the US state department.
Blinken is also expected to hold a press conference with foreign minister Badr Abdelatty, but will not be visiting Israel during this round of diplomacy.
US officials say privately that they do not expect any breakthroughs at Wednesday’s talks in Cairo, but Blinken’s visit will aim to keep up the pressure campaign for a deal between Israel and Hamas.
“He’ll be meeting with Egyptian officials about a number of things, but squarely on the agenda is how we get a proposal that we think would secure agreement from both parties,” said US state department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
In the meeting with Blinken in Cairo, developments in Lebanon were discussed, with El-Sisi reaffirming Egypt’s support for Lebanon following Tuesday’s Israeli cyber attack against its communication infrastructure which claimed the lives of nine people, including a child, and wounded nearly 3,000 others.
“Egypt is keen on Lebanon’s security, stability, and sovereignty,” El-Sisi told the US top diplomat.
Moreover, El-Sisi and Blinken agreed to intensify joint efforts between Cairo and Washington to de-escalate the current regional situation to restore regional peace and security, the statement pointed out.
Additionally, Blinken conveyed President Joe Biden’s appreciation for Egypt’s vital role in restoring regional stability, according to the statement.
El-Sisi also expressed gratitude for Biden’s acknowledgement, emphasizing the importance of the US-Egypt strategic partnership in safeguarding both nations’ interests and enhancing regional security.
Both sides also discussed efforts to develop bilateral relations and resume the joint strategic dialogue to achieve the two countries’ common interests.
El-Sisi And Blinken Address Situation In Gaza
El-Sisi and Blinken addressed the situation in Gaza and ways to enhance joint efforts between Egypt, the US, and Qatar to move forward with ceasefire and captive-detainee swap negotiations, according to a statement by the Egyptian presidency.
The two sides also stressed the need to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Furthermore, El-Sisi underscored the urgent need for “decisive intervention to eliminate barriers to the entrance of huge quantities of aid for the people of Gaza, who are facing severe living and health crises.”
According to the statement, both sides reaffirmed that the two-state solution remains the viable path to sustainable peace and security.
El-Sisi called for an end to the Israeli violations in the West Bank and a halt to escalating policies against Palestinians.
Egypt, along with the US and Qatar, has been mediating indirect talks between Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire deal.
Since 7 October, Israel has killed and injured over 130,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women, damaged most of Gaza’s infrastructure, and displaced the majority of the population.
After concluding his meeting with El-Sisi, Blinken headed to Tahrir Palace with Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty to inaugurate the Egypt-US Strategic Dialogue.
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