Israel's top diplomat, Egypt's intel chief talk expanding bilateral ties

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) - Israel’s foreign minister on Thursday discussed with the visiting Egyptian intelligence service chief expanding bilateral relations.

Yair Lapid said in a tweet that he discussed with Maj. Gen. Abbas Kamel "relations between the two countries, and the need to expand relations to include economic-civil issues as well."

"Israel and Egypt have other areas in which cooperation can be strengthened, starting with trade, medicine, technology, agriculture and energy, which will help strengthen communication between countries," he added.

"We referred to the central role played by the Israeli Embassy in Cairo, in this context, and we agreed to continue the joint discourse," he said.

Lapid argued that "the strategic partnership between the two countries, which is based on the historic peace agreement between Israel and Egypt, is necessary for the security and stability of the region."

Since arriving in Israel on Wednesday for a working visit, Kamel has so far met with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Defense Minister Benny Gantz as well as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat in Ankara