Egypt's FM meets Israeli counterpart in Brussels

CAIRO - Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid in Brussels on Sunday for the first time since Israel's new cross-party coalition took office last month.

Shoukry stressed "the need to resolve the current stalemate between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, leading to just and comprehensive peace negotiations," Egypt's foreign ministry spokesperson said on Twitter.

Lapid said on Twitter that they discussed various security and political issues.

"I raised the issue of prisoners and missing persons in the Gaza Strip and discussed ways to strengthen the security of the State of Israel in the face of terrorist threats and a number of options regarding humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip," tweeted Lapid.