(AFP File Photo)
President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met Sunday with the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in which they discussed the Palestine-Israel and Libyan issues.
Ban praised Egypt’s role and leadership, as well as its political and economic successes, according to a Sunday foreign ministry statement. This was both in terms of the recent Economic Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, and the signing of the Declaration of Principles with Ethiopia concerning its Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
The Palestinian issue accounted for a significant portion of the meeting. Emphasis was placed on donor countries and organisations fulfilling commitments made in the reconstruction of Gaza conference, which was held in Cairo in October 2014. Al-Sisi stressed the application of the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
The meeting reviewed the results of the Israeli elections, and avenues for future action on peace efforts. Al-Sisi noted the importance of encouraging the Palestinians and Israelis to move forward in peace efforts, and to encourage public opinion in to push for peace.
Al-Sisi also emphasised Egypt’s position on regional issues is based on the support of all efforts to bring security and stability in Syria, Libya and Yemen. This is especially in light of the complexities of terrorism and extremism, which are new to the region’s balance.
Concerning the Libyan issue, Al-Sisi noted the importance of supporting a political solution in parallel with the disarmament of the militias and extremists. This would come in conjunction with lifting the ban on the supply of weapons to the Libyan National Army, and taking into account the Libyan people’s choices and free.
Ban Ki-moon expressed appreciation for Egypt’s support of UN efforts to resolve the Libyan crisis, and its eagerness to support the success of the UN envoy to Libya Bernardino Leon.
Ban said the current year will see many UN-organised events and international conferences, including the Financing for Development Conference in Addis Ababa in July. He added that he looked forward to the participation of Egypt.
