CAIRO—In a critical phone call on Sunday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the latest developments in the ongoing Israeli conflict in Gaza and the situation in Lebanon. The conversation focused on the urgent need for a ceasefire and efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.
Abdelatty voiced Egypt’s strong condemnation of Israel’s actions that obstruct humanitarian aid delivery and hinder the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from fulfilling its mission. He emphasized the necessity of empowering the Palestinian Authority and treating the West Bank and Gaza Strip as a unified entity in the pursuit of ending the occupation and establishing a sovereign Palestinian state.
The two ministers also reviewed the evolving situation in Lebanon, where they exchanged insights on the political landscape and security developments. Abdelatty underscored the importance of international collaboration to achieve an immediate ceasefire, fully implement Security Council Resolution 1701, and provide humanitarian assistance amid the severe crisis facing Lebanon.
Additionally, the ministers discussed Egypt’s efforts to resolve the presidential vacancy in Lebanon, stressing the need for a president elected by Lebanese consensus, free from external interference. They reiterated the importance of supporting Lebanese institutions, particularly the army, and respecting the country’s sovereignty.
The conversation extended to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, with Abdelatty reiterating the need for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid access. He called for support for Sudanese state institutions and emphasized the importance of preserving the country’s territorial integrity.
Abdelatty also raised concerns about Egyptian water security, describing it as an existential issue. He reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to protecting its water rights and highlighted the Nile River’s role as a conduit for cooperation among Nile Basin countries, rather than a source of conflict, advocating for adherence to international law and a collaborative approach to regional stability.
