Egypt's help crucial to establish independent Palestine: Abbas in Cairo
Sat, 28/05/2016 - 18:12 Al-Masry Al-Youm
http://www.egyptindependent.com//news/egypt-s-help-crucial-establish-independent-palestine-abbas-cairo

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi
in Cairo on Saturday for discussions on the Palestine issue and the
prospects for constructive peace talks.

The meeting was attended by officials representing both the Egyptian and
Palestinian sides, including Egyptian Foreign Minister Samah Shokry, Head of
General Intelligence Khaled Fowzy, Secretary for the PLO Dr Saeb Areqat,
Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr Riyadh al-Malaky and Palestinian
presidential spokesperson Majed Faraj, among others.

According to a statement issued by Egypt's presidential spokesperson Alaa
Youssef, during the meeting Sisi stressed that the issue of Palestine
remains at the top of Egypt’s foreign policy agenda, and that Egypt would
continue to support international peace initiatives — such as France’s
recent efforts to find a just solution — in order to establish lasting and
comprehensive peace.

Sisi upheld the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with its
capital in East Jerusalem, as a way to ensure a better, more stable
situation for all countries and peoples of the region.

According to the statement, President Abbas expressed Palestine’s
appreciation for Egypt’s great efforts to reach a peaceful settlement, to
stop the bloodshed and to protect the rights of Palestinians. He welcomed
the suggestions of the Egyptian leadership concerning the establishment of
an independent Palestinian state in accordance with international law. He
also acknowledged Egypt’s unfaltering position in supporting Palestine over
the decades and the sacrifices made by Egypt for the rights of Palestinian
people.

The presidents exchanged views on recent international efforts to resolve
the Palestine issue, in particular the meetings to be held in Paris on June
3, with 26 countries in attendance. The meetings, confirmed the two
presidents, will provide an opportunity to exchange views and determine
future steps in the search for a solution.

Abbas stressed during the meeting Egypt’s pivotal role in achieving
reconciliation for Palestine, said the statement. He stressed the
opportunity for Egypt to play a part in establishing internal political
unity within Palestine, which must first be achieved if Palestine is to
build its own independent state and ensure a better future for the next
generations.

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm