Egypt called on the world to help Palestinians after Israel completed its final withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the official MENA news agency reported Tuesday.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said in a statement that the international community should focus their efforts on backing the Palestinian National Authority to control security in the evacuated area first.

Many measures are to be taken as soon as possible, including reopening Gaza airport, establishing a new Gaza port and operating a safe passage linking the West bank and Gaza, said Abul Gheit.

He also expressed hope that such steps will help jumpstart the stalled peace talks and in turn pave the way for the start of the final-status talks.

Egypt has deployed its first batch of 200 soldiers on the borderwith Gaza under an agreement with Israel to control the area after Israel's withdrawal. The remaining troops will take positions soon.

Israel wants Egypt to help stem infiltration and arms smuggling through the border.

Israel completed its final stage of withdrawal from the Gaza Strip on Monday, ending its 38-year occupation of the area.

Source: Xinhua