CAIRO, Sept 27 (Aswat Masriya) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Sunday Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s call “to expand peace with Israel” to encompass more Arab countries, said Netanyahu’s spokesman.

Sisi made statements to the American news agency the Associated Press that Egypt’s nearly 40-year peace should include more Arab nations as part of the effort to solve the Palestinian issue.

Netanyahu called on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas “to return immediately to the negotiating table in order to advance the peace process."

Sisi's statements were made in an interview with The Associated Press during his visit to New York as head of the Egyptian delegation at the 70th UN General Assembly meeting.  

In the interview, Sisi also said that the Egyptian military, "has always been a factor for stability" and should be strengthened because it faces "a ferocious war against terrorism and extremism ... Increasing the military capability of the Egyptian military means that it can strike a strategic balance" for the region.

Since his arrival, Sisi has kept a busy schedule, holding talks with state leaders, the heads of US investment funds, asset management companies and international agencies.