20 October 2023 , 15:55
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Rishi Sunak has met the leader of the Palestinian Authority during a visit to Egypt.
The Prime Minister was on the latest leg of his diplomatic tour of the region, which has taken in Tel Aviv and Saudi Arabia. He jetted to Cairo this morning for negotiations with Egyptian premier Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, where he warned against “contagion” of war in the Middle East as he held talks with Egypt’s President.
The PM also held talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who rules over the West Bank and whose regime is a rival to Gaza-based Hamas. A Downing Street spokesman said: “The leaders agreed on the need for all parties to take steps to protect civilians, and civilian infrastructure, and minimise the loss of innocent lives. They condemned Hamas’ terrorism and stressed that Hamas do not represent the Palestinian people."
Following the talks between Mr Sunak and the Egyptian leader, a No10 spokesman said: “The leaders said that the loss of life in Israel and Gaza over the last few days was truly tragic. They agreed that global leaders should do everything possible to avoid a contagion of conflict in the region, and that every effort must be made to stop terrorism and protect civilians.”
Addressing Mr el-Sisi, the PM praised the regime’s efforts in attempting to secure the delivery of aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza. "Can I first commend you for what you have done on the Rafah crossing?” said the Conservative leader. "It is something you and I discussed when we spoke a while ago and we believe very strongly about providing extra humanitarian aid into Gaza and we look forward to playing an important role, together with Egypt, in making sure that aid can get to people as quickly as possible.
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“You deserve enormous praise for your role in making this possible. I also want to share with you my thoughts that what Hamas did, and I know you agree, was an appalling act of terrorism, and we now mourn the loss of every innocent life that has been lost, people of every faith, of every nationality. Palestinians are victims of Hamas too and that is why what we are doing on the aid side together is so important.”
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly flies back to Egypt on Saturday for a peace summit as Israel prepares for a ground war with Hamas. Forces are gathered on Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip, two weeks after Palestinian terrorists slaughtered at least 1,400 victims, including nine Britons, when they burst across the frontier. Mr Cleverly will attend the Cairo Peace Summit alongside the Government’s Middle East Minister Lord Tariq Ahmad.
The Foreign Office said: “The Foreign Secretary will emphasise the UK’s desire to prevent the regional spread of the conflict and mitigate the threat from Hamas. He will work with international partners towards a peaceful resolution that ensures Israel’s security and protects the rights of Palestinians.” Mr Cleverly will “also discuss urgent efforts to facilitate immediate, unimpeded and safe humanitarian access for lifesaving aid to reach civilians in Gaza”, it added.