UPDATE - Egypt’s president, Saudi crown prince discuss efforts to broker Gaza ceasefire

UPDATES WITH DETAILS, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK

By Mohammad Sio and Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met in the Red Sea city of Neom on Thursday and reviewed efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.

A presidency statement said talks addressed regional and international developments of common concern, with both leaders reviewing “Egypt’s efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, in coordination with various parties.”

Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s support for “Saudi initiatives on the Palestinian cause, most recently the outcomes of a recent conference on a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Sisi and bin Salman stressed “the urgency of facilitating the unhindered entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, the release of hostages and detainees, and rejection of any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land or reimpose Israeli military occupation on Gaza,” the statement said.

They also underscored the need to “halt Israeli practices against Palestinians in the West Bank.”

According to the statement, bin Salman valued ties with Egypt and stressed keenness “to strengthening bilateral cooperation across various fields to achieve the interests of both nations and meet the aspirations of their peoples within their shared vision for the future.”

Sisi, for his part, reaffirmed Egypt’s “sincere affection and pride in its close historic ties with Saudi Arabia.”

The two leaders agreed to expand partnerships in industrial integration, technology localization, transport, renewable energy, and urban development, the statement said.

The Egyptian presidency earlier said Sisi’s visit to Saudi Arabia came upon bin Salman’s invitation, reflecting the “deep-rooted historical ties” between the two countries.