Sisi Tells Blinken That Egypt Opposes Escalation, Backs Lebanon Following Blasts 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo, Egypt, September 18, 2024. (Reuters)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo, Egypt, September 18, 2024. (Reuters)
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Sisi Tells Blinken That Egypt Opposes Escalation, Backs Lebanon Following Blasts 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo, Egypt, September 18, 2024. (Reuters)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo, Egypt, September 18, 2024. (Reuters)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that Cairo rejects any attempts at escalation in the region and supports Lebanon following the pager blasts, the Egyptian presidency said on Wednesday. 

At least nine people were killed and nearly 3,000 wounded when pagers used by Hezbollah members detonated simultaneously across Lebanon on Tuesday. 

"The President affirmed Egypt's rejection of attempts to escalate the conflict and expand its scope regionally, pointing out the need for all parties to act responsibly, and reaffirming Egypt's support for Lebanon", the statement added. 

Blinken is visiting Egypt hoping to advance efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and strengthen ties with Cairo. 



Algeria Reimposes Visa Requirements on Moroccan Nationals

Algerian Minister for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Attaf speaks during the 'Summit of the Future' at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA, 23 September 2024. EPA/SARAH YENESEL
Algerian Minister for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Attaf speaks during the 'Summit of the Future' at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA, 23 September 2024. EPA/SARAH YENESEL
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Algeria Reimposes Visa Requirements on Moroccan Nationals

Algerian Minister for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Attaf speaks during the 'Summit of the Future' at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA, 23 September 2024. EPA/SARAH YENESEL
Algerian Minister for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Attaf speaks during the 'Summit of the Future' at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA, 23 September 2024. EPA/SARAH YENESEL

Algerian authorities resumed visa requirements for Moroccan nationals entering the country on Thursday, state news agency APS reported.

Algeria said Morocco had abused the visa-free entry and was involved in various actions that harm Algeria’s stability and national security, including acts of espionage, according to a Foreign Ministry statement quoted by APS.

The statement did not provide any evidence supporting these accusations.

Algeria cut diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021 citing “hostile acts” by its neighbor.

Algeria said it was “committed to preserving ties” with the “brotherly” Moroccan people.