Egyptian President Abdelfatah Al-Sisi said Saturday failure to solve the Palestinian cause, which was an integral part of Egypt's foreign policy, has "created a pro-terrorism environment in the region." Al-Sisi made the remarks during a meeting with Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). They discussed conflicts in Iraq, Syria and Libya that forced people to flee to safe havens in neighboring countries thus becoming refugees, Ehab Badawi, presidency spokesman, said in a statement to the press.
The growing number of refugees in the region has been causing a strain on host countries including Egypt, which was hosting millions of refugees from Syria and Libya, Badawi quoted Al-Sisi as saying.
Guterres commended Egypt's role in brokering a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which showed how Cairo was regaining its leading role in the region.
Guterres also praised Egypt for hosting large numbers of refugees, namely the Syrians who were also offered health and educational services "just like their Egyptian brothers," said Badawi.