In meeting with UK minister: Egyptian FM stresses importance of implementing Security Council resolutions on Gaza

CAIRO – 28 March 2024: Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shokry met Thursday with UK Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Commonwealth and United Nations Tariq Ahmad to discuss the Gaza War and moves aimed at accomplishing a ceasefire.

Minister Ahmad listened to Minister Shokry's assessment of all aspects of the crisis. The Egyptian minister stressed the necessity of implementing UN Security Council resolution no. 2728 on activating a truce during Ramadan, and building on it to achieve a permanent ceasefire.

That is in addition to guaranteeing the sufficient supply of humanitarian aid through a UN-monitored mechanism in fulfillment of UN Security Council resolution no. 2720. In that framework, Minister Shokry underscored that Israel must open all urban border crossings with Gaza Strip in order to facilitate the entry of large quantities of aid, including the northern section of the enclave.

On his side, the UK minister agreed on those points as well as the salience of negotiations that would lead up to the two-state solution.  

Minister Shokry also renewed Egypt's rejection to any military operation in Palestinian Rafah given its humanitarian repercussions on residents. He equally urged the salience of intensifying international efforts to inhibit the expansion of the scope of conflict as the Gaza War had given rise to threats to navigation in the Red Sea as well as operations in Lebanon.

The UK minister similarly listened to Minister Shokry's assessment of the armed conflict in Sudan and was briefed on Egypt's vision in brokering a ceasefire. The meeting also discussed the status of Libya and Yemen enduring unrest in the aftermath of civil wars.