'Stop this bloodshed'

DW: Mr. Mahlab, you said Egypt is the only secure, safe place in the Arab world. What is your role in the Israel-Gaza conflict? You have brokered a lot of ceasefires in the past - what will be your role in the future?

Ibrahim Mahlab: We repeat that the Egyptian initiative is there. Palestinians and Americans are now in Egypt. We are really facilitating this kind of initiative. And it's the only way: sit down together and discuss things instead of killing, killing, killing.

We have to stop this bloodshed. It is really inhumane. Where are the human rights now, after killing more than 1,800 innocents and 300 children? It is time to get together and solve those problems.

Israel pulled back their troops. Is this the first step for a solution?

First of all, we should sit together. We should respect the ceasefire, sit together, discuss it.

What should President Obama, what should the Obama administration do?

Well, I think between Egypt and the States, there is a long-standing relationship, a historic and strategic relationship, and it is very well maintained. It's a strong relationship that can withstand any challenges. There is complete cooperation and complete collaboration between the States and Egypt. Now we are all facing the Gaza problem and we are dealing with it together. And this is really the atmosphere and admiration between the States and Egypt.

I think that Egypt is and will remain the island of peace in this area, which I consider a turbulent ocean. Egypt is the only stable, peaceful country in the region.

Ibrahim Malab has been Egypt's prime minister since March 2014. Before that, he was minister of housing.

The interview was conducted by Gero Schließ.