Peres to Sisi: Israel remains committed to peace with Egypt

Outgoing Israeli president speaks with Egyptian president-elect; stresses Israel's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Cairo

By JPOST.COM STAFF, REUTERS
Abdel Fattah al-Sisi gestures after casting his ballot in Cairo, May 26, 2014 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Abdel Fattah al-Sisi gestures after casting his ballot in Cairo, May 26, 2014
(photo credit: REUTERS)
President Shimon Peres spoke on Friday with Egyptian President-elect Abdul Fatah al-Sisi, highlighting Israel's continued commitment to peace with its neighbor to the west.
Peres, who's term is set to end in the coming week, extended his congratulations to Sisi on his victory in Egypt's presidential election last month.
"Israel is committed to maintaining the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt and to strengthening cooperation in all fields," Peres said to his Egyptian counterpart.
The president wished the Egyptian people success and prosperity for the future and expressed his hope that the country's new president would lead Egypt to great achievements.
Sisi in turn thanked Peres for his salutations. 
On Sunday, Egypt will inaugurate the main man behind Mohamed Morsi's overthrow who won more than 90 percent of the vote in last month's presidential elections.
The government that Sisi installed after he removed the Muslim Brotherhood from power last July has been accused of widespread human rights abuses against the Islamist movement as well as secular activist.
The United States said on Wednesday it looked forward to working with Sisi as Egypt's president but expressed concerns about the "restrictive political environment" in which he was elected.
A White House statement reiterated US concerns about limits on freedom of peaceful assembly and expression and pressed the government to ensure such rights were given to all Egyptians.