Egypt joins Trump's 'Board of Peace' as el-Sisi signals broader diplomatic ambitions

Egypt said on Wednesday that it has accepted an invitation from US President Donald Trump to join his proposed "Board of Peace," a diplomatic initiative Trump has promoted as a mechanism to resolve conflicts in Gaza and beyond.

In a statement, Egypt's foreign ministry said President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi agreed to participate and would proceed in line with domestic legal requirements. The statement added that Egypt supports the panel's stated mission and its role in advancing efforts to end the conflict in Gaza.

"Egypt announces its acceptance of the invitation and its commitment to fulfilling the relevant legal and constitutional procedures," the ministry said.

The statement praised Trump's approach to the Middle East and said Cairo backed "the Board of Peace's mission for the second phase of the comprehensive plan to end the conflict in Gaza."

Egypt also said its participation would be carried out in accordance with the mandate of the United Nations Security Council, underscoring Cairo's insistence on multilateral legitimacy as it engages with the initiative.

The announcement came as el-Sisi attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he is scheduled to meet Trump and where Trump's proposed board is expected to feature prominently in discussions among global leaders.

Speaking at separate panels during the forum, the Egyptian president sought to position Egypt as a regional stabilizer amid shifting dynamics in the Middle East. He welcomed steps taken by Lebanon's government to restore stability, an apparent reference to efforts aimed at limiting the influence of armed non-state actors. El-Sisi said that Lebanon must "find a way to achieve complete stability."

The Egyptian president also addressed political developments in Syria, calling for an inclusive approach.

He urged the inclusion of all Syrian groups in the political process.

On the Palestinian issue, el-Sisi reaffirmed Cairo's longstanding position that the conflict remains central to regional peace.

The Palestinian cause is still "at the forefront of priorities" in the Middle East, he said, adding that resolving it "is the core of regional stability, and a cornerstone to achieve a just and comprehensive peace."

He credited Trump's diplomatic efforts with helping to secure a ceasefire that halted fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza in October.

While details of the Board of Peace remain limited, Egypt's decision to join signals Cairo's willingness to align itself with Trump's diplomatic vision, even as it seeks to anchor that engagement within existing international frameworks and its own regional priorities.

Edited by CGTN Africa reporter Marion Gachuhi