Sisi discusses Gaza war with CIA chief and Qatari PM

Ahram Online , Tuesday 13 Feb 2024

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi received on Tuesday the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William J. Burns and Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Cairo to discuss the latest developments in the Gaza Strip.


Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi receives the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) William J. Burns in Cairo, 13 February 2024. Photo: Egyptian Presidency

 

El-Sisi and Burns confirmed the continuation of consultation and coordination for achieving a ceasefire, protecting civilians, and effectuating the two-state solution to establish security and stability in the region, according to the Egyptian Presidential Spokesperson Ahmed Fahmy.

During the meeting, which was attended by the Director of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service Major General Abbas Kamel, the Egyptian president and the US official confirmed the strong Egyptian-US strategic partnership.

The CIA chief, after conveying the US President Joe Biden's greetings to El-Sisi, has expressed his appreciation for Egypt's tireless efforts to advance calm in the Gaza Strip, reach a ceasefire, and secure captives release.

El-Sisi and Burns further discussed the developments of the current situation in Gaza, where the US official praised Egypt’s continuous pivotal role in providing and delivering humanitarian aid to the strip since the outbreak of war.

Meanwhile, the Qatari State Security Head Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi attended the meeting between El-Sisi and the Qatari PM.

During the meeting, they reviewed efforts aimed at reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and protecting civilians from the deteriorating conditions in the strip, exploring joint efforts in this regard, including delivering humanitarian aid.

The meeting highlighted the extreme danger of escalating operations in Rafah in southern Gaza, warning of its serious consequences, in light of the risks of the exacerbating humanitarian catastrophe in the strip. 

Furthermore, both sides emphasized the need for concerted international efforts to prevent conflict expansion and the increase of tension in the region.

The Qatari PM conveyed the greetings of the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to El-Sisi, stressing his keenness to continue consultation and coordination between both countries. El-Sisi also expressed his appreciation, emphasizing the close relations between the two countries.

Talks between top negotiators from Egypt, Qatar, the US, and Israel to resolve the Gaza crisis kicked off in Cairo on Tuesday, according to Al-Qahera News TV channel.

On the 130th day of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, Tel Aviv is facing growing international pressure to accept a ceasefire in Gaza, as the Israeli army has so far killed 28,473 and wounded 68,146 since 7 October, most of whom are women and children.

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