Egypt-Malaysia ties took centre stage on Saturday as Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi held talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya, discussing a just settlement for Palestine, regional de-escalation and bilateral cooperation. El-Sisi is on a state visit to Malaysia ahead of an official visit to Indonesia.
Forced displacement of Palestinians rejected
According to Ahram Online, El-Sisi told a joint press conference that both leaders stressed the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital. He reiterated Egypt’s categorical rejection of any attempt to forcibly displace the Palestinian people, alter the demographic composition of Palestinian territories or fragment them, pointing to “alarming developments” in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, settlement expansion and attacks on Islamic and Christian holy sites. He also called for the full and sustainable delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Read More: Gaza Ceasefire One Year On: Promises Broken, Killing Goes On
Egypt-Malaysia ties and the role of Al-Azhar
El-Sisi said the two sides discussed training religious preachers to promote moderation, adding that Egypt is ready to increase the number of Malaysian students at Al-Azhar. Anwar Ibrahim said the two countries exchanged memoranda of understanding on women’s empowerment, higher education, tourism and investment. Presidency spokesman Mohamed El-Shennawy said the bilateral meeting was followed by expanded talks between the two delegations. El-Sisi said he looked forward to continued cooperation “in pursuit of the interests of the Islamic world.”
Sources: Ahram Online, Egyptian Presidency
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