CAIRO, June 26 (MENA) - President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, affirming the importance of resuming negotiations as the sole way for resolving the crisis peacefully.

During a phone call which President Sisi received form Starmer on Thursday, both leaders emphasized the importance of avoiding further military escalation in the region, in order to ensure regional stability and prevent expansion of the conflict.

The phone call underscored the strength of bilateral relations between Egypt and the UK as well as and commitment of both countries to enhancing cooperation, particularly in the economic and investment sectors, according to Presidential Spokesman Mohamed el Shennawy.

The UK prime minister said that he is looking forward to president Sisi's visit to London, at the invitation King Charles III, the spokesman said, adding that president also invited Starmer to visit Egypt later this year.

The call touched on recent regional developments, with president Sisi calling for utilizing the current lull in tensions to achieve an immediate and lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and ensure the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to its people, the spokesman said.

He reiterated Egypt’s firm stance regarding calls for ending the suffering of the Palestinian people along with urging the international community to shoulder its responsibilities by working towards reaching a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue, in order to ensure the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem (Al Quds) as its capital, the spokesman added.

For his part, Starmer praised Egypt’s pivotal role in promoting regional peace and stability, affirming the UK's commitment to maintaining coordination and dialogue with Egypt on key regional issues of mutual concern, the spokesman went on to say. (MENA)

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