Egypt and Jordan reiterated the importance of achieving lasting peace in the region through the two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, emphasizing that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is the only guarantee for peace and stability in the Middle East.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II held telephone talks on Tuesday to discuss regional developments, particularly the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, including the exchange of hostages and detainees and ensuring humanitarian aid access to the people of Gaza, said the Egyptian presidency.
The conversation took place amid widespread controversy over US President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan, a move that was firmly rejected by both Cairo and Amman.
In a shock statement later on Tuesday, Trump said the US would take over the war-ravaged Gaza Strip and develop it economically after Palestinians are resettled elsewhere.
According to the Egyptian presidency, Sisi and King Abdullah stressed the need for the full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and emphasized the urgent need for the enclave’s reconstruction.
They reiterated the need for permanent peace based on the two-state solution, calling for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The leaders also underscored the importance of maintaining a unified Arab stance advocating for a comprehensive peace agreement that ensures regional stability and economic prosperity.
King Abdullah II is scheduled to visit Washington on February 11 to meet with Trump.
In addition, the Egyptian presidency stated that Sisi and Abdullah discussed the situation in Syria, stressing the need to restore stability, preserve territorial integrity and protect its people. They underlined the importance of an inclusive political process that represents all segments of Syrian society.
On Lebanon, they renewed their commitment to the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
The telephone talks came as the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Egypt’s ambassador, along with diplomats from Jordan and Saudi Arabia, and the deputy ambassadors of the UAE and Qatar, met with Senior Bureau Official in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the US Department of State Timothy Lenderking.
The meeting was part of a series of discussions with senior officials from the US administration, the National Security Council, and the State Department, aimed at conveying Arab positions and boosting coordination with the Trump administration.
Irina Tsukerman, a US strategic affairs expert, told Asharq Al-Awsat that these diplomatic moves represent “a decisive push to shift Washington’s stance toward a more balanced approach, while pressing for a stronger position on humanitarian aid and a ceasefire agreement.”
She added that direct engagement with US policymakers highlights a concerted diplomatic effort to influence Washington’s approach.
Given the firm Arab stance against the displacement of Palestinians, the objective is to eliminate any proposed solutions involving forced displacement and encourage the US to adopt a more balanced position. This could pressure Israel to consider long-term solutions, such as a sustainable ceasefire, renewed peace negotiations, and increased US involvement in the peace process, she said.
