Macron, foreign ministers of key Arab states to meet over Gaza

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 May 2024 21:17
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The Egyptian Foreign Ministry says the meeting comes within the framework of the "French side's keenness" to push for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

French President Emmanuel Macron takes notes during a meeting with New Caledonia's elected officials and local representatives at the French High Commissioner Louis Le Franc's residence in Noumea, New Caledonia, Thursday, May 23, 2024. (AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron will on Friday host the foreign ministers of key Arab states for talks on the war in Gaza between "Israel" and the Palestinian Resistance group Hamas, his office confirmed.

Joined by his own top diplomat Stephane Sejourne, Macron will discuss the situation with Qatar's Mohammad bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, Egypt's Sameh Shoukry, Ayman Safadi of Jordan, and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud, the Elysee said.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry mentioned that Shoukry headed to Paris in a visit that comes "within the framework of the French side's keenness to communicate and coordinate with Arab ministers to push for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip."

It mentioned that the Foreign Minister of the UAE will also attend the meeting.

The visit will also witness "discussions on international and regional efforts aimed at finding a serious political horizon to end the crisis and support the implementation of the two-state solution," the Ministry added in a statement.

It is noteworthy that several months ago, Paris hosted discussions gathering mediators of the Gaza ceasefire and captive deal negotiations, including representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.

Earlier, Axios reported, citing US and Israeli officials, that CIA director Bill Burns will soon fly to Europe to meet with the head of the Israeli Mossad David Barnea and the Qatari Prime Minister Mohammad bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in an attempt to revive captive and ceasefire talks.

This comes as the Israeli War Cabinet authorized on Wednesday increasing the authority of the Israeli negotiating team, according to authorities. A new proposal was developed which allegedly holds some concessions in the Israeli positions compared to the last round of negotiations.

The last round of negotiations on a ceasefire and captives deal collapsed after the Israeli occupation forces invaded the eastern part of Rafah City and occupied the main Rafah crossing with Egypt, despite Hamas previously announcing that it has accepted a proposal presented by the mediators.