CAIRO: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration Badr Abdelatty received a phone call on Sunday from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken as part of ongoing consultations regarding rapid developments in the Middle East and efforts to reach a prompt ceasefire in Gaza, Lebanon, and reduce regional escalation.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tamim Khalaf stated that the two ministers discussed current efforts in detail to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid amidst the severe humanitarian crisis. Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s firm rejection and condemnation of Israel’s escalatory actions, which obstruct humanitarian assistance and prevent UNRWA from fulfilling its role.
Moreover, Abdelatty emphasized the importance of empowering the Palestinian Authority and treating the West Bank and Gaza as an integrated unit, with the ultimate goal of ending the occupation and establishing a Palestinian state. The ministers also revie
wed the situation in Lebanon, exchanging views on the political and on-the-ground developments. In this regard, Abdelatty stressed the need for international efforts to secure an immediate ceasefire, promote de-escalation, fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and provide humanitarian aid amid Lebanon’s severe crisis.
He highlighted Egypt’s efforts to resolve the presidential vacancy in Lebanon, emphasizing the importance of electing a president based on Lebanese consensus, free from external pressures, and supporting Lebanese institutions, especially the Lebanese army. Furthermore, he underscored respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, condemning Israel’s incursions into Lebanese territory and attacks on UNIFIL forces, which violate Lebanese sovereignty and international law.
The ministers also discussed the serious situation in Sudan and efforts to ensure a ceasefire and humanitarian access. Minister Abdelatty reaffirmed the importance of preserving Sudan’s state instit
utions, supporting its unity and territorial integrity, and increasing humanitarian aid amid the deteriorating situation there. Additionally, FM raised the issue of Egypt’s water security, describing it as existential and emphasizing that Egypt will not allow any party to threaten its water security. He highlighted the importance of the Nile as a lifeline for cooperation among Nile Basin countries, not as a source of conflict, and urged adherence to international law and the avoidance of unilateral actions that could destabilize the region.