Egyptian, Palestinian presidents discuss Jerusalem in Cairo

CAIRO – 11 December 2017: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi received his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas in Cairo on Monday to discuss the recent updates regarding the Palestinian cause amid the recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital by the United States.

President Sisi stressed Egypt’s stance on the necessity of preserving the historical and legal status of Jerusalem within the framework of related international references and United Nations resolutions, in addition to Egypt’s support for the “legitimate rights” of Palestinian people to establish their own state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Abbas displayed all Palestinian efforts deployed throughout the year to resume peace talks, stipulating that the U.S. decision was surprising, as the Palestinian Authority showed resilience to reach the two-state solution in accordance with the guidelines embodied in establishing a Palestinian state within the borders of June 4, 1967, and with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Both leaders discussed possible measures that can be taken on the international scale to address the alarming repercussions of the U.S. decision, as well as preserving the Palestinian national reconciliation for its strategic importance in the current critical situation.

Abbas expressed his appreciation for Egypt’s continuous support for the Palestinian cause, asserting that mutual coordination and consultation would persist. The Palestinian president met earlier with Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit to discuss the steps Arab countries would take to confront the U.S. decision.