Spox: Sisi, Macron Discuss Libya, Palestine, Lebanon

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi received a phone call Friday from French Counterpart Emmanuel Macron and discussed a number of common interests and regional developments, most notably in Libya, Palestine and Lebanon.

“The two presidents exchanged views on the latest developments in the regional situation, as well as on ways to strengthen the frameworks for bilateral cooperation between Cairo and Paris at all levels,” said Presidency Spokesperson Bassam Rady.

During the call, the two leaders stressed the consistency of common interests and positions in the eastern Mediterranean region, with the rejection of escalation practices that affect the interests of the regional countries.

[caption id="attachment_137934" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Presidency Spokesperson Ambassador Bassam Rady- File Photo[/caption]

“Sisi and Macron stressed that achieving security and stability in the region is a priority that needs coordination and solidarity between Egypt and France,” Rady added.

Regarding the Libyan crisis; the two leaders asserted their countries’ firm position on supporting the political solution away from foreign interference and armed militias.

“Sisi and his French counterpart affirmed that they welcome any positive steps within the framework of constructive international efforts that seek to calm and settle peace in Libya, including the Cairo Declaration initiative, which comes in line with the track of the Berlin Conference,” the spokesman noted.

The two sides also agreed on the importance of intensifying coordination between the two countries to support the government and people of Lebanon by all possible means to overcome the repercussions of the Beirut Port explosion disaster.

Sisi and Macron agreed to help Lebanon face the economic and political challenges it is going through in order to preserve its stability, sovereignty and unity, according to Rady’s statements.

On the level of the peace process in the Middle East, the two presidents agreed that international action should be pushed towards the resumption of negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides with the aim of a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue in accordance with international references.