NNA - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi warned that the Middle East is at a critical turning point as he urged de-escalation following a meeting with Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
The Middle East is going through a “critical and dangerous turning point that requires the highest degree of restraint”, Mr El Sisi said.
He was referring to the fears that recent escalation between Israel and the Iran-led “Axis of Resistance” could spill into a regional conflict.
“Egypt has repeatedly warned of the danger of expanding the scope of the war in a way that threatens regional and international peace and security, as well as the capabilities, security, and stability of the peoples of the region,” Mr El Sisi said.
Mr El Sisi said tensions could be defused by the international community insisting on an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Mr El Sisi's comments came after he hosted Turkey's Foreign Minister, as Ankara and Cairo seek to strengthen their previously strained relations, partly based on a shared position in support of ending the war in Gaza.
He met Mr Fidan in New Alamein, a seaside city which serves as the Egyptian government's seat during the summer months, as part of the Turkish diplomat's two-day visit to the Arab nation.
The talks come as Ankara and Cairo seek to build on the recent thaw in relations following a decade of strained diplomacy and discuss the latest developments in Gaza, according to officials from both countries.
Mr Fidan's trip, made at the invitation of Egypt Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, is expected to pave the way for an summit in Ankara between the countries' leaders in the coming months, according to analysts.
He also met the head of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, as part of Turkey's push to strengthen its relations across the Arab world.
On Sunday, the first day of his visit, the Turkish top diplomat toured key facilities on the Egypt-Gaza border over the weekend, including the strategic Al Arish port and Rafah border crossing.
The visits underscored Egypt and Turkey's shared position on the need to de-escalate regional tensions and work towards a lasting peace in Gaza.
Analysts say the discussions in New Alamein mark a significant step in the normalisation of ties between the once-estranged nations, setting the stage for enhanced co-operation on a range of political, economic and security issues critical to the stability of the Middle East.
During a speech from the Rafah border crossing, Mr Fidan condemned Israel's actions in the war in Gaza, which he described as “a crime against humanity”.
“Turkey is the country that provides the most humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, our purpose in being here is not to talk about Turkey's aid, but to bring the genocide in Gaza to the attention of the world public opinion,” he said.--agencies
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