Egypt, Malaysia Push for Middle East Peace

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim have called for a political settlement to the Middle East conflict, while pledging to strengthen economic ties between their countries.

Leaders Discuss Regional Conflicts

Al-Sisi concluded a two-day state visit to Malaysia, the first by an Egyptian leader in nearly three decades. During talks with Ibrahim, the leaders discussed the conflict in the Middle East, Israeli military operations in Gaza and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. Al-Sisi also highlighted the situation in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, stressing that a comprehensive political settlement was necessary to resolve the region’s crises.

Support for Two-State Solution

Both leaders reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state. Ibrahim condemned what he described as atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza, blaming Israel’s actions and continued intransigence for the suffering.

Four Agreements Signed

Beyond regional security, the talks focused on strengthening relations and expanding cooperation in trade, investment and tourism. Ibrahim described Egypt as an important country in both Africa and the Arab world, saying closer cooperation would create opportunities for Malaysia to expand its commercial activities and investments. The two countries signed four memoranda of understanding covering women’s empowerment, higher education, tourism and investment.

Bilateral Trade Increases

Egypt was Malaysia’s seventh-largest trading partner in Africa in 2025, with bilateral trade reaching $720 million. Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry said trade between the countries increased by 74.7 per cent to $870 million between January and August 2026, highlighting the growing economic relationship.