Shoukry, Erekat probe latest Palestinian developments

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met Monday with Member of the Palestinian Liberation Organization's Executive Committee and Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erekat.

The meeting took up the latest developments of the Palestinian cause and the efforts exerted to resume peace negotiations according to the two-state solution.

Shoukry listened to a detailed explanation from Erekat about the reconciliation between the Palestinian factions, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Badr Abdel Atti.

Finding a fair, permanent, comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue needs respect to the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people atop of which is establishing an independent state with east of Jerusalem as its capital, Erekat reiterated.

Shoukry stressed that the Egyptian stance towards the Palestinian cause is unchangeable, adding that his country exerts its utmost efforts to settle this problem and considers it a top priority.

He highlighted also the efforts of the Arab ministerial committee, formed by the Arab Summit in Sharm el Shiekh under Egypt, which follows up the international contacts seeking to end the Israeli occupation to the Palestinian territories.

The Egyptian top diplomat underscored the importance of preserving the Arab and Islamic identity of east Jerusalem.