He is facing one of the most challenging moments of his rule, which could reset relations with his country's key Western ally. Egypt is dangling the threat to its peace treaty with neighbouring Israel - long seen as a cornerstone of stability and US influence in the Middle East.

Egypt will produce a "comprehensive vision" for how to reconstruct Gaza that does not include the removal of Palestinians from the enclave.

In the face of pressure from US President Donald Trump, Egypt has announced its own reconstruction plan for the largely destroyed Gaza Strip. "Egypt expresses its aspiration to cooperate with the U.S.