CAIRO, November 4, 2024 (WAFA) –President Mahmoud Abbas met on Monday with Egyptian President, Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, on the sidelines of his participation in the opening of the 12th session of the World Urban Forum, held in Cairo.

President Abbas thanked his Egyptian counterpart for his invitation to attend the opening of the World Urban Forum and acknowledged its international value in promoting sustainable urban development.

President Abbas praised Egypt's firm positions and support for the rights of the Palestinian people, foremost of which is their right to establish their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The president also hailed Egypt’s national position which is consistent with the Palestinian position rejecting the displacement of the Palestinian people and emptying the land of its inhabitants. President Abbas further commenced Egypt’s efforts to stop the Israeli aggression and its continuous sponsorship of reconciliation efforts.

The President stressed the seriousness of the decisions and measures of the Israeli occupation government related to banning the work of UNRWA in Palestine, which have serious repercussions aimed at liquidating the refugee issue.

The president stressed that these actions contradict the international mandate of UNRWA and its role in providing relief to the Palestinian people. President Abbas linked the continuation of its existence to finding a just solution to the Palestinian refugee issue in accordance with International Resolution 194, and what was stated in the Arab Peace Initiative, which requires the international community to take serious and tangible steps.

President Abbas stressed the need for urgent international intervention to curb the practices and violence of colonists against the Palestinian people throughout the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

The two presidents exchanged views and visions on the joint efforts made by the Palestinian and Egyptian leaderships to achieve an immediate and sustainable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, ensure a full Israeli withdrawal from the Strip and expedite the delivery of aid to the Palestinian people.

They also reviewed the efforts of the State of Palestine to implement the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice in accordance with the General Assembly resolution, hold an international peace conference and obtain Palestine's full membership in the United Nations.

A.D./T.R.