Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held talks in Cairo on Wednesday over various regional issues and ongoing efforts to combat terrorism.
They discussed recent developments in the Middle East, particularly in Libya, Syria, and Yemen.
Guterres said that Egypt is a “fundamental partner for the UN in relation to peace and security in the region,” and described UN’s cooperation with Egypt as an essential aspect of the Organization’s work.
As for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Guterres praised Egypt's role in sparing the Gaza Strip from escalation, creating conditions for effective delivery of humanitarian aid to the region, and playing an "integral part" in forging unity between the Palestinian factions.
He said Cairo and the UN are working to implement the two-state solution with Jerusalem as a capital for both states.
Guterres appreciated Egypt's efforts to settle the situation in Libya, adding that his talks with Sisi also covered the situation in Syria and means of reaching a settlement that is based on United Nations Security Council resolution 2254.
As for efforts to fight terrorism, the UN Secretary-General noted that a summit will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, to discuss combating terrorism in Africa. He said that no state can settle the problem of terrorism on its own and that cooperation between Egypt and the UN on this score is based on three points; peace and security, sustainable development and human rights.
On US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, Guterres said that the UN insists that any resolution must guarantee Syria's sovereignty over its territory, including the occupied Golan.
