Macron, Sisi reject Gaza displacement, call for ceasefire
3 Min Read
The Egyptian and French presidents held a bilateral summit in Cairo, where they focused on the Palestinian cause and the situation in Gaza, stressing the importance of returning to the ceasefire agreement and preventing the displacement of Palestinians.
-
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (R) walks with French President Emmanuel Macron during a welcome ceremony before their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Cairo on April 7, 2025. (AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned on Monday the forced displacement of the people of the Gaza Strip and "Israel's" annexation of the occupied West Bank.
During a joint press conference in Cairo with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron urged an end to Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, making an “immediate appeal” to restore the ceasefire that has been in place since January 19.
The French president commended the Egyptian president's efforts to promote peace in the region, emphasizing their shared commitment to regional stability and the freedom of maritime navigation. He highlighted both countries' work towards a diplomatic resolution of the Iranian nuclear crisis, noting that the matter threatens the security of the entire region.
Macron also discussed the situation in Syria after the fall of the former regime, reaffirming France's support for a transitional process leading to a unified, stable, and sovereign Syria that is inclusive of all its people while rejecting foreign interference. He further emphasized France's commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability, as well as the importance of respecting the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, alongside Lebanon’s efforts to regain its occupied territories.
'We agreed on necessity of settling the Palestinian cause and ending the occupation of Syrian territory': Sisi
The Egyptian president stated that both he and Macron agreed to oppose the displacement of Palestinians from their land. He mentioned discussing the Arab plan for Gaza's reconstruction with Macron and emphasized the need for an immediate return to the ceasefire.
El-Sisi pointed out that stability and peace in the Middle East will remain unattainable as long as the Palestinian cause remains unresolved, stressing the importance of preserving Syria's unity and ending the Israeli occupation of Syrian territory.
The French President held a bilateral summit with his Egyptian counterpart, where the Palestinian cause and the situation in Gaza were central to the discussions, and several agreements and understandings were signed between the two nations.
Following this bilateral summit, a tripartite Egyptian-French-Jordanian summit will take place, with the participation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Jordanian King Abdullah II bin al-Hussein, and French President Emmanuel Macron. The summit will focus on regional developments, particularly the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, as confirmed by Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy, the official spokesperson for the Egyptian presidency.
The French president was welcomed by Egyptian President el-Sisi at the Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo, where they also discussed the Arab plan for Gaza’s reconstruction. While Paris supports this plan, French authorities noted that it requires further strengthening, especially in terms of security and governance within the Gaza Strip.
Macron is scheduled to visit the Egyptian city of al-Arish, located around 50 kilometers from the Gaza Strip, where he will engage with representatives from humanitarian and security organizations. His visit, as announced by the Elysée Palace, will highlight the need for a ceasefire in Gaza and the implementation of a prisoner exchange. He will also meet with teams from French and UN NGOs, the Egyptian Red Crescent, and potentially, Palestinians in the region. Additionally, he will communicate with members of the European Union mission overseeing the border at the Rafah crossing.
