Egypt's Sisi talks with Trump in call on hard-nut issues

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received a call from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump Thursday talked about the draft resolution on Israeli settlements at the UN Security Council, the presidency said in a statement Friday.

"During the call, both sides discussed regional affairs and developments in the Middle East and the draft resolution before the Security Council on Israeli settlements," said presidency spokesman Alaa Youssef.

"Both leaders agreed on the importance of giving the new administration a chance to deal comprehensively with all the aspects of the Palestinian cause to achieve a comprehensive and final settlement," the statement said.

The call came hours after Egypt had requested on Thursday that its resolution demanding Israel halt settlements be postponed. Earlier Trump had called on the UN Security Council members to veto it.

President-elect Trump said he is looking forward to Sisi's visit to the U.S. to exchange views on means of boosting bilateral ties as well as peace in the Middle East.

The two leaders, according to the statement, reviewed the future of Egyptian-U.S. relations after the new U.S. administration takes office in January.

They said they are looking forward to boosting cooperation in all fields for the best interest of both nations.

The statement added the two leaders' talks also tackled further the regional developments which could lead to an escalation of international challenges with regard to stability, peace and security, a matter that necessitates strengthening cooperation to face such challenges.

source: Xinhua