Ashraf AboArafe
Mr. Dr. received Badr Abdel Aty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptians Abroad Affairs, on July 13, at the Tahrir Palace, the French President’s Middle East Advisor, Mrs. Anne-Claire Legendre, during her current visit to Egypt.
Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration and Director of the Public Diplomacy Department, stated that the meeting discussed developments related to the war on the Gaza Strip and the efforts made internationally and regionally to stop the war and reach a ceasefire that allows the exchange of prisoners and detainees, and the entry of humanitarian aid. In this context, Minister Abdel-Ati reviewed the efforts made by Egypt with the Qatari mediation and the United States in order to bring positions closer together, as well as Egypt’s strenuous efforts to bring in humanitarian aid and confront the obstacles placed by Israel in this regard.
On the other hand, the discussions touched on the efforts made by France to resolve the crisis, and the attempt to provide international momentum in support of the Palestinian issue, as Minister Abdel-Ati listened to a detailed presentation from the French President’s advisor in this regard. The Minister of Foreign Affairs followed, stressing the importance of any effort leading to results that guarantee the achievement of the desired goal of eventually establishing an independent Palestinian state and its international recognition.
The official spokesman added that the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration stressed that the Egyptian vision for settling the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and stopping the war in Gaza is based on the need for the international community to assume its responsibility to support the implementation of the two-state solution and the establishment of the Palestinian state on the basis of the lines of June 4, 1967, in accordance with the terms of reference of international legitimacy.
Minister Abdel-Aty expressed Egypt’s growing concern about the developments in the situation in Lebanon, and about the increasing severity and expansion of the ongoing escalation there, and the serious consequences that this may have on Lebanon and the region as a whole. His Excellency stressed that Egypt is making all possible efforts to stop the war in Gaza and prevent its consequences from spreading to the rest of the countries of the region, adding that Cairo clearly and absolutely supports the security and stability of Lebanon, preserving its sovereignty and protecting its people in the face of the threats and dangers it faces, and in this context supports the ongoing international efforts, Especially French and American, in order to reduce the level of tension in southern Lebanon.
The Foreign and Immigration Spokesman stated that Minister Abdel Ati pointed out that the ongoing escalation in Lebanon, in addition to the negative developments the Red Sea is already witnessing, is consistent with the very early and repeated Egyptian warning of the danger of continuing the war in Gaza, and the necessity of an immediate and sustainable halt to it, and preventing its extension and expansion. Its scope is regional, in a way that slides the region – and even the entire world – into open scenarios that only carry more violence and destruction, and it is difficult to predict its path or its grave consequences on the security of the countries of the region and on international security and peace.
Regarding the presidential vacuum, the Minister of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Egypt’s position calling for quickly ending the presidential vacuum in Lebanon as soon as possible, especially through active movements within the framework of the Group of Five (which includes Egypt and France), praising the Egyptian/French coordination in this matter. In this regard, he pointed out that all Egyptian contacts with the Lebanese parties stress the necessity of accelerating the selection of a president of the republic, according to what the will of the Lebanese settles upon.
For her part, the French Chancellor praised the continuous coordination between Egypt and France in connection with many regional files, and the major role that Egypt plays in its regional surroundings to ensure the security and stability of the region. In this context, she pointed out the seriousness of the situation in southern Lebanon, and the high level of escalation there, which requires the solidarity of all active parties to work to establish calm in southern Lebanon. It also reviewed relevant French efforts.
