President Mohamed Morsi and US President Barack Obama have agreed on the importance of working to de-escalate the situation as quickly as possible on borders between Gaza and Israel.

According to a White House press release early on Thursday 15/11/2012, Obama phoned Morsi to discuss the rocket attacks being launched from Gaza into Israel and the escalating violence in Gaza, given Egypt's central role in preserving regional security.

The two leaders also agreed to stay in close touch in the days ahead.

On Wednesday 14/11/2012, Morsi recalled Egypt's ambassador to Israel Atef Salem over Israel's raids on the Gaza Strip that left 11 dead and 93 injured so far.

In statements, Presidential spokesman Yasser Ali said Morsi directed Egypt's permanent envoy to the UN to call for an emergency session of the UN Security Council on a series of Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip.

Morsi also ordered Foreign Ministry to summon the Israeli ambassador in Cairo Yaakov Amitai and hand him over a letter protesting Israel's aggression on Gaza and reiterating the necessity of halting it immediately, the spokesman said.

The President called on Arab League Secretary General Nabil el-Arabi to hold an emergency meeting of the Arab Foreign Ministers to discuss Israel's escalation in Gaza, he added.