Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham have discussed diplomatic efforts to contain rising tensions in the Middle East and prevent the ongoing conflicts from spreading across the region.
The discussions took place during a telephone conversation initiated by Burnham on Monday evening, according to a statement issued by the Egyptian presidency.
The two leaders reviewed several regional and international developments, with particular focus on the situation involving Iran and the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip.
According to the statement, they examined efforts being coordinated with relevant parties and international partners to contain tensions arising from the crisis involving Iran.
Both leaders stressed the importance of preventing further escalation, urging all parties to prioritise diplomatic engagement and political solutions to safeguard regional and international peace and stability.
On the Palestinian question, Sisi and Burnham called on all parties to respect and implement the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
They also emphasised the need to ensure the full, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, while accelerating early recovery and reconstruction efforts in the territory.
Sisi further called for coordinated international action to revive a political process towards establishing an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with occupied East Jerusalem as its capital.
“The establishment of a Palestinian state represents the only path to achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East,” the Egyptian president said.
The telephone conversation comes amid persistent regional tensions following military confrontations involving the United States, Israel and Iran since February.
The United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on February 28, with a ceasefire reportedly reached in April, followed by a regionally mediated memorandum of understanding in June.
However, the understandings subsequently collapsed, and fighting resumed in July, while diplomatic efforts have continued towards securing a settlement and preventing further regional escalation.
(Anadolu Ajansı)
