Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi warned of the risks of a broader regional escalation during talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday, as the situation in Gaza and across the region continues to deteriorate amid the ongoing genocidal war.

The meeting took place in Borg el-Arab on the sidelines of an event linked to Senghor University, where both leaders discussed developments in Gaza, Lebanon and wider tensions across West Asia. Egyptian officials said Sisi outlined Cairo’s efforts to contain instability and warned that further escalation could have serious consequences for regional and international security, as well as global trade and supply routes.

During the discussions, Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s opposition to violations of Arab state sovereignty and stressed Cairo’s position in support of regional stability. He also highlighted Egyptian efforts aimed at preserving the Gaza ceasefire framework, advancing its second phase and facilitating the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged territory.

The Palestinian issue featured prominently in the talks, with Sisi warning against growing Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank and calling for renewed political efforts leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Macron, for his part, praised Egypt’s diplomatic role in regional mediation and said France hoped for a rapid de-escalation of the current crisis. His visit to Egypt forms part of a wider African tour that also includes Kenya and Ethiopia, where discussions are expected to focus on regional security, economic cooperation and political stability.