CAIRO, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone Tuesday about efforts to reduce tensions and restore stability in the Middle East, the Egyptian presidency said.
Sisi highlighted Egypt's work with regional partners to "achieve de-escalation and safeguard regional security to avert the risk of the region descending into a state of chaos," according to a statement.
Putin "commended Egypt's efforts to bolster regional security and de-escalate tensions," and expressed hope for "the containment of the current escalation and the restoration of calm," the statement said.
The call came amid heightened tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran since Feb. 28, which Iran responded to with attacks on Israeli and U.S. interests across the region.
Sisi and Putin also discussed the Palestinian issue and the war in Gaza, stressing the need to fully implement the agreement to end the fighting, ensure the flow of humanitarian aid, and begin reconstruction.
Sisi emphasized the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in line with international resolutions and the two-state solution, calling it "the sole path to achieving permanent stability in the region." ■
