Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim have called for a comprehensive political settlement to resolve the Middle East crisis, reaffirming their support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The leaders made the call during discussions in Malaysia, where al-Sisi concluded a two-day state visit, the first by an Egyptian president in nearly three decades.
Both leaders condemned Israeli military actions in Gaza and discussed wider regional security concerns, including tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.
Al-Sisi said a comprehensive political settlement remained essential to resolving the multiple crises affecting the region.
“I also spoke with the Prime Minister about the situation in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. I emphasised the importance of reaching a comprehensive political settlement as the only way to end all the region’s crises,” he said.
The two leaders reiterated their support for a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
Ibrahim said Malaysia maintained a strong position against the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, criticising Israel’s military actions and what he described as its intransigence.
“We have taken a strong position vis-a-vis the atrocities inflicted upon the people of Palestine and Gaza due to the intransigence and violence perpetrated by Israel,” he said.
Beyond regional security, the discussions focused on strengthening relations between Egypt and Malaysia, with both countries seeking to expand cooperation in trade, investment, tourism and other sectors.
Ibrahim described Egypt as an important partner, citing its strategic position in the Arab world and Africa.
“Egypt, of course a very important country in the Arab world and in Africa,” he said.
“Therefore, the collaboration with Egypt will give Malaysia an immense role and opportunity to expand our trade and general investments, tourism, in all fields.”
During the visit, the two countries signed four memoranda of understanding covering women’s empowerment, higher education, tourism and investment.
The agreements are expected to provide a framework for deeper cooperation across the identified sectors.
Economic ties between the countries have also recorded growth. Egypt was Malaysia’s seventh-largest trading partner in Africa in 2025, with bilateral trade valued at $720 million.
According to Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry, trade between the two countries increased by 74.7 per cent to $870 million between January and August 2026.
The visit underscored the two countries’ efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations while coordinating their positions on regional conflicts and international affairs.
