Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, on Tuesday to discuss developments in Palestine and negotiations on the peace talks.
The UN envoy is to stay in Egypt for two days, according to state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram.
Tensions between Palestinians and Israelis have increased recently with a particular focus over the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. The area has been the scene of violent clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians prompting international concern.
Arab League foreign ministers resolved Saturday to back the Palestinian bid for statehood in front of the United Nations Security Council, by presenting a draft resolution within the coming days determining a timeframe for creating the State of Palestine. This would also “end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories”, according to a Saturday statement by the Arab League.
The ministers agreed on several decisions, including the continuation of the joint Arab action to ensure the international recognition of the State of Palestine with its capital East Jerusalem. It would also include the “absolute refusal” of recognising Israel as a Jewish state, warn against its “racism”, and reject all pressures exerted on the Palestinian Authority, the statement read.
Egypt’s representative at the United Nations Amr Abu Al-Atta presented two resolutions during the 60th plenary session of the United Nations, with both adopted by the General Assembly on Tuesday. The first resolution addressed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting recent issues in East Jerusalem.
Shoukry had also met in London with US Secretary of State John Kerry on 18 November to discuss the conflict in light of the escalating tensions in Jerusalem.
Israeli officials accused Palestinian leaders of inciting a religious conflict between Jews and Muslims following a brutal attack on worshipers in a Jerusalem synagogue that left four dead and eight injured on that same day.
