President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi met Sunday with Tony Blair, the Quartet Representative for the peace process in Middle East, and urged him to revive Palestinian-Israel peace talks, stated presidential spokesperson Alaa Youssef Monday.
“The meeting discussed the peace process and the halted negotiations between the Israeli and Palestinian sides; Mr. Tony Blair highlighted the Egyptian central role to resume the connections between both parties,” Youssef said in a statement.
Sisi affirmed that there are procedures should be taken for the Palestinian people, who are eager to claim their “legitimate” rights, and added he hoped that the talks could be resumed after the Israeli parliamentary elections that are scheduled to be held March 17, Youssef continued.
The negotiations were suspended after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced a unity government to include Fatah and Hamas representatives.
“Blair expressed his appreciation for the latest steps taken by the President, notably his visit to the Cathedral of St. Mark and remarks there. He also hailed the President’s speech marking the Birth of the Prophet Mohamed, in which the President called for religious misinterpretations to be rectified and the true nature of Islam to be clarified so as to root out extremism.”
