King, Sisi discuss bilateral ties, anti-terrorism efforts

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah returned home on Sunday after a brief working visit to Egypt where he met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and discussed with him means to bolster Jordanian-Egyptian relations, in addition to regional developments. 

During a meeting in Cairo, talks focused on international and regional efforts to combat terrorism, and the two leaders underlined their support for the international coalition that is fighting terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq, according to a Royal Court statement. 

They also discussed efforts to achieve Middle East peace, stressing the importance of working to create a suitable climate to revive peace negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis to arrive at a solution founded on the two-state formula, relevant international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

During a one-on-one encounter, which was followed by a broader meeting, the King highlighted the situation in the Holy City of Jerusalem.  He briefed Sisi on Jordan’s efforts in defence of the holy sites there and in confronting Israeli practices targeting Al Aqsa Mosque and the rest of Al Haram Al Sharif. 

Regarding developments in Syria and Iraq, the two sides stressed the importance of arriving at a comprehensive political solution for the crisis in Syria that ends the suffering of the Syrian people and safeguards the unity and the safety of the war-hit country. 

The Monarch and the Egyptian president also stressed the importance of supporting all efforts that strengthen the unity of the Iraqi people, empower them to overcome the challenges facing them and ensure the participation of the different segments of the Iraqi society in the ongoing political process. 

King Abdullah and Sisi stressed the strong historic Jordanian-Egyptian relations and their commitment to build on previous accomplishments, the statement added. 

King Abdullah underscored the important role of Egypt at the Arab and regional levels, stressing the Kingdom’s commitment to continued coordination and consultation with Egypt vis-à-vis various issues of mutual concern. 

Sisi expressed Egypt’s appreciation of Jordan’s stands in support of Egypt and its people as well as its efforts to serve Arab causes and deal with the various challenges.