CAIRO, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Friday stressed the need to safeguard regional peace and stability by building upon the recent ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.
Sisi made the remarks during a phone conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, during which the two leaders discussed the latest developments in the Middle East, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.
He also stressed the importance of launching negotiations to resolve outstanding disputes between Washington and Tehran.
Sisi reviewed Egypt's intensive efforts with various parties aimed at de-escalation and affirmed Egypt's full support for the security and stability of Arab states, and its total rejection and condemnation of any violation of their sovereignty or any threats to their peoples' resources.
For her part, the Italian prime minister stressed the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz to allow international navigation without imposing fees, and the need to maintain the Gulf states' security. She also called for an agreement on the Iranian nuclear program and urged all necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of war.
Meloni reaffirmed Italy's commitment to boosting cooperation and coordination with Egypt to achieve these goals.
A two-week ceasefire reached between Iran and the United States took effect on Wednesday, with peace talks scheduled to begin later this week in Islamabad, Pakistan. ■
