FM, his US counterpart discuss Gaza ceasefire efforts

Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty has discussed over phone with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Foreign ministry spokesman Tamim Khallaf said on Saturday that the two top diplomats also discussed means to release hostages and detainees as well as regional developments and bilateral relations.

According to the spokesman, the US Secretary of State posted the foreign minister on the outcome of his recent Middle East tour with Abdelatty stressing the importance of halting Israeli escalation and violation of the international law.

Abdelatty warned of the impact of a possible regional war on the security and stability of the region, calling for intensifying efforts of unconditional delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

The Egyptian top diplomat also warned against Israeli attempts to undermine UNRWA activities in the Palestinian territories.

The two ministers also discussed efforts to reach a ceasefire in Lebanon and the importance electing a Lebanese president accepted by all Lebanese people. 

They reviewed Egyptian efforts to end Israeli escalation in Lebanon with Abdelatty condemning the Israeli violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and aggression, which caused a humanitarian catastrophe and forced nearly1.2 million people to flee their homes.

The foreign minister described the Israeli aggression on UNIFIL troops as a flagrant violation of the UN charter and international law.

He stressed the importance of an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and abiding by the Security Council Resolution 1701 with enabling Lebanese institutions, including the army, to play their role .

The two top diplomats discussed developments in Sudan and efforts exerted to ensure the delivery of aid to the Sudanese people as Abdelatty asserted the importance of maintaining and supporting all Sudanese institutions with respecting the unity of Sudan and the integrity of its territories.

They discussed positive development in relations following the new round of strategic dialogue and the importance of going ahead with developing relations.