Egyptian President Abdelfatah Al-Sisi on Sunday said his country is ready to offer all forms of support to the Palestinian people and their legitimate leadership.
Addressing the opening session of the Cairo International Conference on Palestine and Reconstructing Gaza that kicked off in the Egyptian capital today, Sisi expressed hope the outcome of the gathering would meet expectations of the Palestinian people, and the region as a whole.
He said the conference is an "important step" to confirm solidarity with the afflicted Palestinians, noting that since the eruption of the last crisis in Gaze, Egypt "assumed the responsibility of sparing blood and lives of the Palestinian people" till a comprehensive ceasefire was reached on August 26.
In addition, Egypt has called upon the Palestinians and the Israelis to resume indirect negotiations in Cairo later this month, seeking to reach agreement on the suspended issues between both sides, Sisi said.
Parallel to this, Cairo has sought to heal the rift among the Palestinian factions, sponsoring successful reconciliation talks that led to the return of the Palestinian Authority (PA) to Gaza and helped the unity government to assume responsibilities for the Strip.
The reconstruction of Gaza and fulfilling the needs of the Palestinian people there is based on two pivots: permanent calm and the PA practicing its powers in the Strip, he said.
"We all have to stick to these two courses and should not let down the Palestinian people who pin large hopes on this conference," Sisi said, adding that such hopes are so humble considering the huge potential of what the international community can offer.
The only way to realize peace and security for peoples in the regions is reaching a just, permanent and comprehensive settlement, as part of the peace course Egypt had adopted in the late 1970s, he said.
Sisi also addressed the Israeli "people and government" saying "It is high time the conflict ended, with no delay, to give rights and realize justice, prosperity and reap security for all."