Cairo: Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and French President Emmanuel Macron engaged in a phone call on Friday to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and the urgent need to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The conversation highlighted the importance of launching a comprehensive political process aimed at establishing a Palestinian state.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the English-language website of Al-Ahram, the call also focused on recent developments in the Gaza Strip. President El-Sisi expressed gratitude for France's support of Egyptian efforts that facilitated the ceasefire agreement, and he emphasized the necessity of reinforcing the ceasefire. He called for swift action to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and initiate the early recovery and reconstruction phase, aligning with the second phase of US President Donald Trump's peace plan.
President Macron acknowledged Egypt's crucial role in promoting regional stability, particularly in consolidating the ceasefire in Gaza. The discussion also touched upon the situation in the West Bank, where President El-Sisi reiterated Egypt's strong opposition to Israeli violations. He stressed the need to back the Palestinian people and increase international efforts to halt these violations, while also supporting the Palestinian Authority in its commitments to its citizens.
Both leaders concurred on the importance of current efforts leading to a comprehensive political process. This process should ultimately result in the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.