Egyptian FM meets Palestinian VP over Gaza situation

CAIRO, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met here on Saturday with visiting Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh on efforts to restore the Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction plans for the enclave.

Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's full support for the Palestinian Authority and its ongoing reforms, and reaffirmed the implementation of the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state as "the only solution" to resolving the conflict, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

He reiterated Egypt's ongoing mediation efforts for the Gaza ceasefire, and its commitment to facilitating humanitarian aid access to Gaza "in light of the rapid deterioration in the humanitarian situation," read the statement.

Abdelatty expressed Egypt's rejection of "Israel's use of starvation as a policy of collective punishment," read the statement.

He also reviewed with al-Sheikh an upcoming international conference for Gaza reconstruction to be hosted by Egypt.

Al-Sheikh, also deputy chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, appreciated Egypt for its role "in supporting the Palestinian people and their just cause," Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

He reiterated Palestine's call for "an immediate and urgent ceasefire and the entry of humanitarian aid" in Gaza, the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from Palestinian territories, and the commencement of a political process based on international legitimacy, WAFA reported.

Israel halted the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza on March 2, following the expiration of the first phase of a January ceasefire agreement with Hamas. It resumed attacks on Gaza on March 18, which, according to data released by health authorities in Gaza on Saturday, have so far killed 2,701 Palestinians and injured 7,432. ■