Ashraf AboArafe
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs Mr. Dr. Badr Abdel Aati, received today, Tuesday, September 17, Mr. Tor Wennesland, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process.
Ambassador/ Tamim Khilaf, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, explained that the meeting discussed the latest developments related to the continued Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip, in addition to the sharp escalation witnessed in the West Bank, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed support for the efforts of the UN Coordinator to preserve the status of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) as the center of government for the administration of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, stressing that without the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza, it will be difficult to create a sustainable situation in the Strip that maintains security and stability.
The official spokesman explained that Dr. Abdel Aati was keen to point out Egypt’s continued efforts to reach a ceasefire and implement humanitarian aid to the Strip in light of the obstacles placed by the Israeli side, and the necessity of enabling all United Nations agencies to assume their responsibilities, most notably UNRWA.
The Foreign Minister was also keen to learn about the results of the UN official’s contacts with the Israeli side and the Palestinian Authority, and the UN efforts he is making to end the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza, stressing the need for the Israeli army to withdraw from the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing and the Philadelphi corridor, and to accept the return of the Palestinian Authority to manage the crossing, which would allow the resumption of the crossing’s work.
