Sisi, Macron stress need to stop cycle of mutual targeting, restore calm in region

CAIRO - 26 October 2024: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a phone call Saturday from French President Emmanuel Macron, where they both discussed the ongoing escalation in the Middle East, and ways to limit it, and restore calm.

 

The official spokesman for the Presidency of the Republic stated that the two presidents stressed the need to exercise self-restraint and stop the cycle of mutual targeting that puts the entire Middle East region on the brink of the danger of regional war, and threatens the capabilities of all the peoples of the region.

 

This came after Israel launched air strikes targeting military bases in Iran Saturday, including air defence batteries and missile manufacturing facilities, in response to earlier Iranian attacks. Iran's air defence said it had “successfully intercepted” the attacks, adding that some areas witnessed "limited damage."

 

In this context, the two presidents reviewed the ongoing efforts to cease fire in Gaza and Lebanon, and to implement humanitarian aid urgently and in sufficient quantities.

 

Both presidents also stressed the need to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, affirming their support for the Lebanese state institutions. The official spokesman added that the call also witnessed an affirmation of the depth of strategic relations between the two countries, and their keenness to continue cooperation in various fields, especially economic and investment, in a way that serves the interests of the friendly Egyptian and French peoples, and to continue consultations on issues of common interest.