Egypt firmly behind Palestinian cause - Sisi to Pence

CAIRO, Jan 20 (KUNA) -- Egyptian President Abdelfatah Al-Sisi Saturday reaffirmed firm support of the Palestinian people and their cause towards establishing their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Al-Sisi made the remarks during a meeting with visiting US Vice-President Mike Pence, who was on a Middle Eastern tour, during which they discussed occupied Jerusalem following US President Donald Trump's recognition of the holy city as capital of Israel, presidency spokesman Bassam Radhi said in a statement.
Al-Sisi, he said, said the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could only take place through negotiations and the two-state solution.
Egypt, said the president, would spare no effort to support this settlement.
Meanwhile, Al-Sisi said the Egyptian people were suffering from menace of terrorism. He looked forward to have counter-terrorism assistance.
He also welcomed the US companies' contribution to development in Egypt.
Pence, on his first leg of his tour that would take him to Jordan and Israel, commended Egypt for its role in the Middle East peace process, as well as for its contributions to maintaining security and stability in the region.
He also thanked Al-Sisi for Egypt's role in the Palestinian reconciliation agreement.
Pence said the US considered Egypt a strategic partner, and the country was fighting a vicious war against terrorism.
The US is standing by Egypt in this war, as well as its development process, said the American leader. (end) aff.bs