Zambian president visits Israel over economic, diplomatic ties

Zambian President Edgar Lungu is paying a five-day official visit to Israel aimed at cementing bilateral economic and diplomatic ties.

President Lungu held talks with his Israel counterpart Reuven Rivlin on Tuesday at the Presidential Residence in Jerusalem, according to state broadcaster, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.

The Zambian leader said his administration was looking forward to working with Israel in many spheres.

He went on to state that Zambia was looking forward to the amicable solution over the security challenges in Israel and that his government would dialogue with the warring parties to find a win-win situation.

Zambia, he said, draws inspiration from Israel, hence the need to ensure order in the Jewish nation as it also plays a key role in the global economy.

On his part, the Israel president extolled the warm relations that have existed between the two countries, adding that Israel had a warm feeling towards Zambians as the country was among the first in Africa to receive Jews when they were hunted down during the Second World War.

Lungu is in Israel to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties after the southern African nation established its first-ever embassy in that country two years ago.

While in Israel, Lungu will officiate at a business forum organized by the business community of the two countries. Endit