Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has met President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Simon Harris for talks on the war in Gaza and boosting bilateral ties.
The two heads of state discussed the Middle East situation, including the political upheaval in Syria, according to a statement from President Higgins's office.
"The outrageous suffering in the absence of a ceasefire in Gaza was the central part of their discussion," the statement said.
There was also "agreement on the need to expand international recognition of the Palestinian state", according to Egyptian presidential spokesman Mohamed al-Shenawy.
President Michael D. Higgins this morning met with the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, at a courtesy call in Áras an Uachtaráin. You can read more details of their meeting at https://t.co/e0VHCsJV8H pic.twitter.com/nLgw1293bI
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) December 11, 2024
Ireland is among several European countries which in May formally recognised the State of Palestine, drawing anger from Israel.
President el-Sisi praised the Government's "courageous positions in support of the Palestinian cause," Mr Shenawy added in a statement.
Eight Gazan children and their families, who are in the Egyptian capital Cairo, will be medically evacuated to Ireland soon, the statement from Áras an Uachtaráin said, following a request from the World Health Organization.
Harris raises case of kidnapped boys of Irish mother
President el-Sisi held a working lunch with the Taoiseach.
Mr Harris said before the meeting that he would raise the case of an Irish mother whose children have been kept by their father in Egypt for more than two years.
Mandy Kelly, from Dundalk in Co Louth, has had no contact with her sons Kareem and Zayn since June 2022, despite having been awarded custody of them.
Mr Harris said: "I intend to speak to President [Abdel] el-Sisi in relation to this today, and either myself or my officials will be in contact with Mandy Kelly".
Egyptian authorities, the Taoiseach said, had been crucial to getting a number of Irish citizens out of Gaza.
Egypt also plays an important role in terms of trying to get humanitarian aid into the people of Gaza, "who are living through the most horrific time," he added.
The Dublin visit was the final leg of a European tour by Mr el-Sisi that included stops in Norway and Denmark.
It marked the first trip to Ireland by an Egyptian president since Hosni Mubarak visited in 2006.
Additional reporting Eleanor Burnhill
