CAIRO: Vice President Mike Pence told Egypt’s leader on Saturday the United States would support a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians if the two sides agreed to it, seeking to reassure a key Arab ally over President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Pence was in Egypt on the first leg of a three-country tour that includes stops in Jordan and Israel. In his meeting with Egypt’s president, Pence pledged firm U.S. backing in the nation’s fight against Islamist militants and said ties between the two countries had never been stronger after a period of “drifting apart.”“We stand shoulder to shoulder with you in Egypt in the fight against terrorism,” Pence told Sisi. Though Pence intends to discuss counterterrorism issues throughout the trip, the Jerusalem decision remains a hot topic. “The United States of America is deeply committed to restarting the peace process in the Middle East,” Pence told reporters.

Source: New Strait Times January 20, 2018 23:37 UTC