Abbas meets with Egypt's Sisi for 'important strategic talks'
Abu Rudaineh said that the meeting was aimed at coordinating positions between the Palestinians and Egyptians ahead of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York later this month.
By KHALED ABU TOAMEHUpdated: SEPTEMBER 11, 2015 02:31Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Cairo, January 14, 2015(photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held “important and strategic” talks in Cairo on Thursday, Abbas’s spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudaineh, announced.Abu Rudaineh said that the meeting was aimed at coordinating positions between the Palestinians and Egyptians ahead of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York later this month, which Abbas is scheduled to address.Abbas and Sisi also discussed Israel’s “dangerous” policy in Jerusalem, Abu Rudaineh said, referring to the ongoing controversy over visits to the Temple Mount by Jewish groups and individuals.The spokesman said the two agreed on a number of “specific political steps in all fields during the upcoming phase,” but did not elaborate.“President Sisi affirmed his country’s support for President Abbas and Palestinian legitimacy in all international forums and conventions,” Abu Rudaineh said.The PA envoy to Cairo, Jamal Shobaki, said that Abbas made an urgent visit to Cairo to discuss the latest developments surrounding the Palestinian cause with Sisi.Palestinian sources said that Sisi urged Abbas during their meeting to refrain from drastic moves that could have a negative impact on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in particular and the region in general.Recent reports have suggested that Abbas is considering quitting political life and abrogating the Oslo Accords with Israel. The reports claimed that Abbas would announce these measures during the upcoming General Assembly.
