'It's important to act carefully at this critical stage': Egyptian FM in meeting with Iranian counterpart

CAIRO – 17 October 2024: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration Badr Abdel Aty received Thursday Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi to confer over the consecutive developments in the Middle East, particularly Lebanon, Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea, and de-escalation endeavors to inhibit a regional war.

Minister Abdel Aty underscored the urge for a ceasefire in Gaza Strip and all the measures that would lead up to that outcome; unconditional supply of humanitarian and rescue aid to Gaza to contain the disastrous humanitarian suffering; and, a mechanism to restore regional peace and security.

The Egyptian minister reiterated the radical solution to conflict in the Middle East, and that is the establishment of a Palestinian State on the borders of June 4, 1967 having as capital East Jerusalem, in alignment with relevant UNSC resolutions.

The minister underlined the importance of "acting carefully at this critical stage" noting that the Middle East is experiencing a "precarious turning point," the ministry's statement revealed.

Minister Abdel Aty asserted the salience of "avoiding the implication of the region in a catastrophic confrontation that might incur a wide-ranging war that would bring about destructive repercussions for all its parties as well as for all Middle Eastern states."

In the same context, the minister gave an overview of Egypt's stance on the perilous developments in the Red Sea and Lebanon, stressing the country's ultimate rejection to any tampering with Lebanese sovereignty, and the importance of safeguarding the safety and territorial integrity of Lebanon.

Hence, Minister Abdel Aty underscored the necessity of concerting efforts to attain an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, and "fully and indiscriminately" abiding by UNSC resolution no. 1701 – issued in 2006 - on halting hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

In that framework, the Egyptian minister asserted the salience of empowering Lebanese state institutions, precisely the Lebanese Army, enabling it to control the entire Lebanese territories in order to guarantee security and stability in the country.

As for the issue of selecting a Lebanese president, the minister asserted the importance of accomplishing that mission through national consensus and without any foreign interference.

Minister Araghchi had met with President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi as he is visiting Egypt within a tour that also includes Jordan and Turkey in a bid to achieve de-escalation in the Middle East.