Egypt’s Sisi calls for Gulf stability, including Qatar

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi today called for maintaining the stability of the Gulf countries, including Qatar.

“The [Gulf] region does not endure anything but stability,” Al-Sisi said during a session held on the sidelines of a youth forum held in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh.

Answering a question about Egypt’s support for Saudi Arabia, Al-Sisi replied: “Isn’t the current state of instability in the region enough?”

“Shall I maintain the stability of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Qatar or not?” he asked. “I maintain the stability of every country because the Arab region does not endure anything but this.”

In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain severed ties with Doha, accusing it of supporting terrorism. Charges Doha vehemently denies.

Palestinian reconciliation

Al-Sisi said Egypt has been seeking to heal the rift between the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority and Palestinian group Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip.

Read: How can the new Egyptian measure achieve a truce in Gaza?

“There must be one authority and one leadership for the Palestinians in Gaza and Ramallah,” he said. “All parties must concede to serve the best interest of the Palestinian cause.”

A delegation from Egypt’s intelligence service has been holding talks between the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Israel for weeks, during which they are meeting with officials of Hamas, rival group Fatah and the Israeli government.

The talks are taking part with a view to reaching a truce between Hamas and Israel and achieving Palestinian reconciliation between the Palestinian rivals.

The Egyptian president denied any knowledge of the so-called “deal of the century” – a US backchannel plan to reach a peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians.

“The ‘deal of the century’ is a term given by media outlets,” Al-Sisi said.

“It could be a test for reactions; I don’t have details and we will not impose anything on the Palestinians,” he stressed.

Read: Unemployment doubled in Gaza since start of Israel siege