Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Co-operation, and Egyptians Abroad, Badr Abdel-Aati, emphasised on Saturday Egypt’s continued efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East through sustained co-ordination with regional partners, underscoring the importance of prioritising diplomacy and dialogue to contain the crisis and mitigate its repercussions.
During a phone conversation with South African Minister of Foreign Affairs Ronald Lamola, Abdel-Aati stressed the need for intensified regional and international efforts to ensure the success of ongoing negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire and creating a conducive environment for reaching an agreement between the United States and Iran to end the conflict.
In a related context, the minister strongly condemned Israeli attacks targeting multiple areas in Lebanon, reaffirming the necessity of respecting Lebanon’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and calling for an immediate halt to hostilities to safeguard regional stability and prevent further escalation.
On the Palestinian issue, Abdel-Aati highlighted Egypt’s support for the Palestinian people, emphasising the need for the National Committee for the Management of Gaza to operate effectively within the Strip.
He called for international backing to empower the committee, alongside the deployment of an international stabilisation force and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.
The discussion also addressed bilateral ties, with Abdel-Aati conveying President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s greetings to his South African counterpart. He noted the growing momentum in relations, specifically the importance of advancing economic, trade, and investment cooperation.
Egypt also invited South Africa to the upcoming mid-year coordination summit and business forum in El Alamein this June.
For his part, Minister Lamola commended Egypt’s key role in regional stability and its active diplomacy in resolving ongoing crises.
