CAIRO, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Sergei Naryshkin, director of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Russia, discussed the regional situation here on Tuesday, according to the Egyptian Presidency statement.
Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel attended the meeting.
"The meeting focused on the regional situation, primarily ways to achieve stability in the Middle East amid the crisis in the Gaza Strip and the escalating tension in the region," the statement said.
Some African issues, counterterrorism efforts, and the latest developments in Ukraine and Afghanistan were also addressed in the meeting.
The meeting also reviewed "Egypt's efforts to calm the situation in the region" via its engagement with all parties.
Egypt reiterated the need to reach an urgent and immediate ceasefire in Gaza and ensure the flow of sufficient humanitarian aid and relief, which are considered fundamental steps to defuse regional tension. ■
