Ireland's Higgins and Harris discuss Gaza 'suffering' with El Sisi on Dublin visit

Trip was the final stop on a tour by Egyptian President that also included Norway and Denmark

Taoiseach Simon Harris hosts Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. Photo: Simon Harris / LinkedIn

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Ireland's President Michael D Higgins and Prime Minister Simon Harris met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi for talks on the war in Gaza and enhancing bilateral ties on Wednesday.

The leaders discussed the Middle East situation, including the political upheaval in Syria, according to Mr Higgins's office.

“The outrageous suffering in the absence of a ceasefire in Gaza was the central part of their discussion,” the statement added.

Mr Harris said in a post on LinkedIn “We also spoke of Irish / Egyptian relations and a number of important consular and trade matters.”

There had also been “agreement on the need to expand international recognition of the Palestinian state”, said Egyptian presidential spokesman Mohamed El Shenawy.

Taoiseach Simon Harris hosts Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. Photo: Simon Harris / LinkedIn

Ireland is among several European countries which in May formally recognised the state of Palestine, drawing anger from Israel.

Mr El Sisi praised Dublin's “courageous positions in support of the Palestinian cause,” Mr Shenawy added.

Taoiseach Simon Harris hosts Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. Photo: Simon Harris / LinkedIn

Eight Gazan children and their families, currently in Egypt, will soon be medically evacuated to Ireland, the Irish statement said.

The Dublin visit was the final leg of a European tour by Mr El Sisi that included visits to Norway and Denmark.

It marked the first trip to Ireland by Mr El Sisi since Hosni Mubarak visited in 2006.