Egypt willing to provide forces to 'stabilize' future Palestinian state: Sisi.

Egypt willing to provide forces to 'stabilize' future Palestinian state: Sisi. (DS).

ROME: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said in an interview published Sunday that he would be prepared to send troops to a future Palestinian state to help stabilize it.

Sisi, who begins his first European trip on Monday since ousting his Islamist predecessor, made the comments in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

He is due to visit France and Italy, while the trip will also include a meeting with Pope Francis.

The Egyptian leader said he would send forces to a future Palestinian state in agreement with Israel and the Palestinian authority.

"We are ready to send military forces into a Palestinian state," he said.

"We would help the local police and reassure the Israelis through our role as guarantor. Not forever, of course. For the time necessary to reestablish confidence. But first a Palestinian state must exist where troops can be sent to."

Sisi said he had spoken of the idea with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas. Hmmm.....I always thought Turkey would 'volunteer' for that.