Egypt's Foreign minister Sameh Shoukry met with Quarter representative to the Middle East and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Cairo over talks on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. During his four-hour visit, Blair also met with Arab League Secretary General Nabil El-Araby to discuss the latest developments in the Gaza strip. Spokesperson for the FM, Badr Abdel-Atti, told Al-Ahram's Arabic news website that Shoukry has discussed with Blair the efforts that led to the 72-hour truce meditated by Egypt. Meanwhile, Abdel-Atti stressed that Blair showed Shoukry his appreciation for Egyptian efforts that led to the 72-hour ceasefire. Egypt mediated a three-day truce on Tuesday between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian factions that officials hope will lead to further talks and a more lasting end to the Gaza war. Israeli ground forces withdrew from the Gaza Strip ahead of the truce, with a military spokesperson saying the main goal of destroying cross-border infiltration tunnels has been achieved, Reuters reported. The Israeli war on Gaza has led to the death of 1,875 Palestinians since it began on 8 July. On the Israeli side, 64 soldiers and three civilians have been killed in clashes and shelling in and around the enclave. Source : Ahram online
