ABBAS DISCUSSES EFFORTS TO END ISRAELI OCCUPATION WITH EL-SISI

photo: Ma'an — **President Mahmoud Abbas Discusses Efforts to End Israeli Occupation with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.** (Photo: Ma’an)

Cairo, 24 Rabi’ul Awwal 1436/15 January 2015 (MINA) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Cairo on Wednesday, where he met with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and discussed the latest developments regarding efforts exerted at the United Nations to set a deadline to end the Israeli occupation.

They further discussed the Palestinian accession to various international treaties and organizations following the UN Security Council rejection of the bid requesting an end to Israeli occupation within three years, Wafa News Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

The two president’s also discussed several other key issues, first and foremost, the danger of the Israeli escalations in Jerusalem, including assaults on Muslim and Christian holy sites, particularly the daily provocative storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli settlers, which he said could turn the current political conflict into a religious one.

Also Read: Indonesian NGO Called on Muslim to Defend Aqsa Sites

They also discussed efforts exerted towards the Gaza reconstruction process in light of the deteriorating health and living conditions of Palestinians as a result of the latest 2014 summer aggression against the strip, which caused a major destruction of homes and infrastructure.

Abbas also met with Grand Sheikh of al-Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayeb, and briefed him on the latest Israeli escalations in the city of Jerusalem.

He highlighting Israel’s attempts to change the character and status of the Holy City and give it a predominant Jewish character.(T/P008/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)