French President Macron meets Egyptian leader Sisi in Cairo for Gaza talks

French President Emmanuel Macron (centre left) and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, centre, greet people at the Khan al-Khalili market area in Cairo on Sunday. Photo: AFP

France’s President Emmanuel Macron started talks dominated by the Israel-Gaza war on Sunday with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi after arriving in Cairo.

On Monday, Macron , Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II will hold a summit as Israel renews its offensive against Hamas in Gaza.

On Tuesday, the French leader will head to the Egyptian port of El-Arish, near Gaza, to highlight the territory’s humanitarian plight.

Macron and Sisi held a dinner in a Cairo souk just after the French president arrived for the 48-hour visit.

Macron also took time for a private visit to the new Grand Egyptian Museum, to be officially inaugurated on July 3, that will show off 100,000 historic artefacts.

The two presidents will hold a more formal meeting on Monday morning before the summit with King Abdullah.