From the Liveblog of
Friday, August 23, 2024
Biden speaks to Egyptian president, Qatari emir in bid to push hostage-ceasefire deal
US President Joe Biden speaks by phone to the leaders of Qatar and Egypt, pushing for an elusive Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal as negotiators met in Cairo to try to overcome remaining obstacles.
A White House description of the calls says Biden spoke to Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and separately with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to discuss “diplomatic efforts to bring the ceasefire and hostage release deal to a conclusion.”
Biden is spending a week of vacation on a ranch in California’s Santa Ynez Valley and is closely monitoring the Gaza ceasefire talks.
Biden’s conversations come after the White House described talks in Cairo aimed at reaching a ceasefire as “constructive,” and urged all sides to come together to work toward the implementation of a proposed agreement.
