BEIRUT, Aug 16 (MENA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty said President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stays in contact with regional and international leaders around the clock to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and prevent further regional escalations.
In a joint press conference with Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib in Beirut on Friday, Abdelatty added that he was also instructed by President Sisi to make intensive contacts, noting that his diplomatic moves included making a visit to Iran and conducting phone conversations with Acting Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani for more than four times.
The top Egyptian diplomat stated that he also had phone contacts with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for four times, as well as with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Arab foreign ministers, with a view to reaching an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave.
He underlined that Egypt’s continued contacts are aimed at protecting Lebanon from the repercussions of any escalation.
Asked about Egypt’s position if Israel insists to keep controlling the Philadelphia Corridor, Abdelatty said Egypt won’t accept any change in applicable rules and “it sticks to its stance”.
He emphasized Egypt seeks to rapidly strike a deal that leads to achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and conducting a hostage-prisoner exchange.
The Egyptian foreign minister indicated Egypt will continue its regional and international contacts until reaching a ceasefire and finding a permanent, just and comprehensive settlement to the Palestinian issue, based on the two-state solution.
He also stressed Egypt’s rejection of “extended, futile negotiations, as happened in the past”.
Regarding the negotiations on the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, Abdelatty affirmed the political will is needed to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza and free all Israeli hostages and Palestinian inmates.
He said Egypt works with Qatar and the US to bridge the gaps to come up with solutions that do not affect the constants, especially with regard to the matters related to operating the Rafah crossing.
Abdelatty emphasized that Egypt’s ultimate goal is to stop military operations against Gaza residents and then establish a process that paves the way for implementing the two-state solution and achieving just and comprehensive peace in the region. (MENA)
