Egypt’s FM, Russian counterpart discuss efforts of de-escalation in ME region

CAIRO- 4 August 2024: Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Badr Abdelatty made a phone call with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, addressing efforts of de-escalation in the region in a way that preserves its security, stability, and the interests of its peoples and prevents it from slipping into a vicious cycle of conflicts.

During the phone call, both Ministers exchanged the points of view on issues of common interest, current regional developments, according to a statement released by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid.

Minister Lavrov congratulated Abdelatty on the occasion of forming the Egyptian government and assuming his duties, expressing his aspiration to cooperate with him in issues that serves the interests of the two countries.

For his part, Abdelatty affirmed Egypt’s keenness in relations with the Russian Federation and the aspiration to continue efforts to strengthen cooperation relations in a way that serves the interests of the two countries and peoples.

Egypt exerts tremendous diplomatic efforts with other neighboring countries to prevent a potential regional war after Israeli carries out a series of attacks against Iranian-backed the axis of resistance (Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iraqi Popular Mobilization forces).

Israel assassinated head of the Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh, with his body guard, in his residency in the Iranian capital Tehran on July 31, after attending the inauguration ceremony of the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. A day earlier, Israel assassinated Senior Commander Sayyed Fouad Ali Shokr (Sayyed Mohsen), the second man in the Lebanese Hezbollah by targeting him on Tuesday, August 30, 2024. Meanwhile, the Global Coalition Against Daesh- led by Israeli ally, the US, launched airstrike against personnel from the Iraq Popular Mobilization Forces, which affiliates to the Iraqi army.

Iran, Hezbollah and Iraqi Army vowed to revenge for those who killed by Israel. Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said that Israel whosoever stands with it should know that our response is inevitable and non-negotiable.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed retaliation, characterizing it as a "duty." Reports indicate that Khamenei has ordered a direct strike against Israel.