Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi on Tuesday sent a missive to Israeli President Shimon Peres wishing for peace in the Middle East.
Although the letter does not specifically mention the peace agreement with Israel, it does include the "Israeli people" as part of Morsi's peace wishes in the region.
"I am looking forward to exerting our best efforts to get the Middle East peace process back to its right track in order to achieve security and stability for all peoples of the region, including the Israeli people," the letter read.
The document was sent the same day as the U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta was scheduled to arrive in Egypt for an official visit.
Morsi's letter was a response to Peres' Ramadan greetings sent a week ago and it's the first time the Egyptian President makes direct contact with Israeli leaders since he obtained victory in the country's presidential elections in June.
"As someone who took part in the process that led to the peace agreement that was signed between my country and yours, I know that both Egypt and Israel attribute supreme importance to regional peace and stability -- which serve the interests of all peoples in the region," Peres' congratulations letter read.
Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood member, was clear since the beginning of his mandate that even though he stands with the Palestinians, he will respect the peace agreements with Israel, something the Israeli government was weary of when Morsi became Egypt's first elected president after toppling Hosni Mubarak.
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