Trump hails Egypt’s Sisi for ‘very important role in Hamas talks

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt - US President Donald Trump hailed his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for his role in Gaza talks on Oct 13, as he said the next phase of negotiations between Israel and Hamas was underway.

As they met in the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh shortly after Mr Trump’s arrival, Mr Sisi also paid tribute to Mr Trump by saying that he was the “only one” who could bring peace to the Middle East.

Mr Trump told reporters the Egyptian leader “had a very important role with Hamas,” adding the Palestinian militant group “respect the leadership of Egypt”.

“So, he played a very important role, I appreciate it very much,” the US president added.

Mr Trump said the second phase of negotiations following the initial ceasefire and hostage release deal
between Israel and the Palestinian militant group had effectively started.

“It’s started, as far as we’re concerned, phase two has started,” Mr Trump said when asked if it had begun.

“The phases are all a little bit mixed in with each other. They’re going to start cleaning up, you look at Gaza. It needs a lot of clean-up,” the US president said.

Mr Sisi and Mr Trump are co-hosting a meeting of more than two dozen world leaders to plot out a course to a lasting peace and ensure the implementation of the current deal.

“I was sure you were the only one, Mr President, who can end this war... the only one capable of bringing peace to our region,” Mr Sisi said of Mr Trump. AFP