CAIRO – Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said in remarks published Sunday that Egypt is prepared to send troops into a future Palestinian state to assist local police and guarantee Israel's security.
In comments to Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera, el-Sissi said the troops would be stationed there temporarily to establish confidence.
In a clarifying statement later, his office said the idea is a way to encourage Israel to accept a two-state solution.
"The president said that Egypt along with other Arab countries is willing to make available the necessary conditions for the creation of a Palestinian state," the statement said.
The last round of U.S.-brokered peace talks collapsed in April. Since then, Israel fought a 50-day war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip and advanced plans to build hundreds of new homes in Jewish areas of east Jerusalem.
Israel fears that Hamas would take control the West Bank if it withdrew its forces.
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