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Egypt's president discusses regional issues with UN chief

Xinhua, February 16, 2017 Adjust font size:

Egyptian president and visiting United Nations chief vowed here Wednesday to continue cooperation and solve regional problems.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held talks with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, expressing readiness to further cooperate with the UN, Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said in a press conference with Guterres after the meeting.

"Guterres has wisdom since he was a statesman, a former prime minister...Egypt will definitely be continuously in touch with the UN through our permanent mission," Shoukry said.

He explained that Egypt has supported the peace process in Syria as well as the efforts of the UN special envoy for Syria Staffan De Mistura, stressing the importance of the Syrian opposition in the Geneva peace talks.

The minister also asserted that the international community cannot accept any preconditions from all sides to reach a settlement in Syria, adding that a peaceful solution that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people must be reached.

Meanwhile, Shoukry said he met on Wednesday with a delegation from the Libyan High Council of State, and the delegates praised the road map, which means a notable development that supports the legal institutions and the national army.

Guterres said Egypt is a central player in the Middle East and an essential contributor to the solutions of regional problems.

He stressed that there is no plan B to the situation between the Palestinians and Israelis but two-state solution, adding that everything must be done to preserve that possibility.

"We also need to find political solutions for the crises of the region," Guterres said, stressing the determination to move ahead with Geneva talks in relation to the Syrian situation and resume the policy of national reconciliation and unity in Iraq.

He said that he will be totally committed to support the countries of the region to come together in order to create the conditions for both Yemen and Libya able to overcome the present crises.

Guterres took the post as UN secretary-general on Jan. 1. He arrived in Cairo on Wednesday after visiting Turkey, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman. Endit