Sisi: A fair, comprehensive settlement on the June 4, 1967 lines is the condition for peace and stability in the Middle East

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi on Sunday said that achieving a swift, comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian issue is the only way to establish peace and stability in the Middle East, stressing the need to establish an independent Palestinian state on the lines of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He made the remarks during a joint press conference with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto after signing a number of memoranda of understanding between the two countries in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. Sisi noted that developments in the Palestinian issue occupied a major and important part of the bilateral talks.

Sisi reiterated Egypt’s categorical and decisive rejection of any attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land, impose demographic change, or eliminate the Palestinian cause. He also condemned ongoing Israeli practices and violations against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and affirmed the necessity of full and sustainable access for humanitarian and relief aid to Gaza to stop the tragedy experienced by Palestinians there.

Regarding regional and international issues of shared concern, Sisi stressed Egypt’s full support for all sincere efforts aimed at de‑escalation and achieving calm in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, in order to preserve the security and safety of international navigation and regional stability.

The president also reaffirmed Egypt’s firm position on the existential importance of the Nile River to the Egyptian people, stressing that it is a matter of national security not to be compromised.

The Egyptian president had arrived at Halim Air Base in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on an official visit to Indonesia as part of an Asian tour that included South Korea and Malaysia to discuss bilateral relations, regional issues and strengthen joint cooperation.