Mideast tour

US Vice President Pence meets Sisi, Jordan's King Abdullah

CAIRO: US Vice President Mike Pence held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi Saturday at the start of a delayed Middle East tour overshadowed by Arab anger over Washington's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, reports AFP.

Controversy over President Donald Trump's decision to move the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem had led to the cancellation of a number of planned meetings ahead of the trip originally scheduled for December.

The Palestinian leadership, already furious over the Jerusalem decision, has denounced the US administration and had already refused to meet Pence in December.

A coalition of Arab parties in the Israeli parliament said Saturday it would boycott a speech by Pence on Monday, calling him "dangerous and messianic".

Meanwhile, Jordan's King Abdullah II yesaterday voiced "concerns" over Washington's controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital as US Vice President Mike Pence visited Amman during an uncomfortable Middle East tour.

Arab outrage over President Donald Trump's decision to move the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem had prompted the cancellation of several planned meetings ahead of Pence's trip, originally scheduled for December.

Abdullah, a key US ally, said he had "continuously voiced over the past year... my concerns regarding the US decision on Jerusalem that does not come as a result of a comprehensive settlement to the Palestinian Israeli conflict."

Pence held talks with former army chief Sisi in Cairo that were expected to focus on US aid and security, including a jihadist insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula.

Sisi's office said the talks also covered Jerusalem, with the president stressing Egypt's support for a two-state peace settlement and "the right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state with east Jerusalem as capital".

 

Mideast tour

US Vice President Pence meets Sisi, Jordans King Abdullah

CAIRO: US Vice President Mike Pence held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi Saturday at the start of a delayed Middle East tour overshadowed by Arab anger over Washingtons recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital, reports AFP. Controversy over President Donald Trumps decision to move the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem had led to the cancellation of a number of planned meetings ahead of the trip originally scheduled for December. The Palestinian leadership, already furious over the Jerusalem decision, has denounced the US administration and had already refused to meet Pence in December. A coalition of Arab parties in the Israeli parliament said Saturday it would boycott a speech by Pence on Monday, calling him dangerous and messianic. Meanwhile, Jordans King Abdullah II yesaterday voiced concerns over Washingtons controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital as US Vice President Mike Pence visited Amman during an uncomfortable Middle East tour. Arab outrage over President Donald Trumps decision to move the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem had prompted the cancellation of several planned meetings ahead of Pences trip, originally scheduled for December. Abdullah, a key US ally, said he had continuously voiced over the past year... my concerns regarding the US decision on Jerusalem that does not come as a result of a comprehensive settlement to the Palestinian Israeli conflict. Pence held talks with former army chief Sisi in Cairo that were expected to focus on US aid and security, including a jihadist insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula. Sisis office said the talks also covered Jerusalem, with the president stressing Egypts support for a two-state peace settlement and the right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state with east Jerusalem as capital.