Tony Blair Meets Egypt’s FM, Arab League Secretary General Over Gaza Talks

Egypt’s Foreign minister Sameh Shoukry met with Quarter representative to the Middle East and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Cairo over talks on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

During his four-hour visit, Blair also met with Arab League Secretary General Nabil El-Araby to discuss the latest developments in the Gaza strip.

Spokesperson for the FM, Badr Abdel-Atti, told Al-Ahram’s Arabic news website that Shoukry has discussed with Blair the efforts that led to the 72-hour truce meditated by Egypt.

Meanwhile, Abdel-Atti stressed that Blair showed Shoukry his appreciation for Egyptian efforts that led to the 72-hour ceasefire.

Egypt mediated a three-day truce on Tuesday between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian factions that officials hope will lead to further talks and a more lasting end to the Gaza war.

Israeli ground forces withdrew from the Gaza Strip ahead of the truce, with a military spokesperson saying the main goal of destroying cross-border infiltration tunnels has been achieved, Reuters reported.

The Israeli war on Gaza has led to the death of 1,875 Palestinians since it began on 8 July.

On the Israeli side, 64 soldiers and three civilians have been killed in clashes and shelling in and around the enclave.

Source : Ahram online