U.S. National Security Envoy Met With Egyptian Leader In Cairo To Discuss Aid, Regional Issues
September 30, 2021—Amid rising tensions between Israel and Hamas as well as violence in the Occupied Palestinian territories, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, flew to Cairo, Egypt to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Wednesday.
The meetings covered a variety of bilateral and regional issues, according to reporting by the UAE-based The National. They discussed Libya’s political roadmap, the situations in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Tunisia, and ideas to revive the Israel-Palestinian peace talks.
Reconstruction of the Gaza Strip
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is hoping to once again lay the groundwork for peace in neighboring Israel and Palestinian territories. Egypt brokered the cease-fire after the 11-day war in May between Israel and Hamas. High on the priority list for Egypt is to rebuild the Gaza Strip, which was devastated during the conflict in the Spring. In a recent speech to the UN General Assembly, El Sisi said Egypt pledged $500 million for reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has also recently met with el-Sisi.
Tensions have been rising amid Israeli evictions of Palestinians and demolitions of their homes.
Two-State Solution
Meanwhile, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said Ambassador Mills held informal talks with Palestinian leaders on the outskirts of the recent United Nations meetings. It shows that some engagement is taking place behind the scenes. The spokesperson, Ms. Jalina Porter, reaffirmed that the United States supports a two-state solution to solve the conflict.
“As we’ve said before, we believe that a negotiated two-state solution is the best way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” Porter said on Monday.“And this administration has made clear on a number of occasions that the Israelis and Palestinians both equally deserve to live in security, prosperity, and freedom.”
Military Aid for Egypt
The United States recently withheld $300 million in foreign aid to Egypt amid concerns about human rights. However, the Biden Administration forwarded some of those funds according to reporting by the Associated Press.
Other Matters
According to the White House, they discussed Libya, tensions with Ethiopia, Egypt’s role in keeping the peace between Israel and Hamas, and Sisi’s human rights record. Mr. Sullivan arrived in Cairo after trips to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Additional reporting by Patti Mohr.
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