Riyadh, Cairo – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and King Abdullah II of Jordan called for reviving serious effective peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians while stressing the need to maintain Jerusalem’s historic status.
The two leaders met in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss developments in the Middle East and the region and the means to promote bilateral relations.
King Abdullah’s visit to Egypt came few days before US President Donald Trump’s official trip to Saudi Arabia, where he would hold an extensive summit with Arab and Islamic leaders from the region.
The Arab-Islamic-US summit will take place on Sunday in Riyadh, in the presence of Trump, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Sisi, King Abdullah II and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
In this regard, sources told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that they expect a bilateral meeting to be held between Trump and Sisi in Riyadh, where officials would focus on the means to resume the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.
Egyptian Presidency Spokesperson Alaa Youssef said that Abdullah met with Sisi within efforts to take advantage of the momentum for a Mideast peace revival pushed for by the new US administration.
Youssef added that the two leaders reiterated their commitment to a political solution to the civil war in Syria and to global counter-terrorism efforts.
The summit between Sisi and Abdullah was held at the Heliopolis Palace and was followed by expanded talks attended by senior officials from both sides.
The leaders underlined the need to preserve the current status in Jerusalem, warning that attempts to undermine it would result in dangerous repercussions on the stability and security of the entire region.
King Abdullah highlighted Egypt’s pivotal role in serving Arab causes. He said that he agreed with Sisi on the need to proceed with efforts aimed at unifying Arab stances, especially in light of Jordan’s role as the current president of the Arab summit, and in boosting joint Arab action to overcome challenges and crises facing the Arab nation.