Syria, Egypt FMs Discuss Regional Peace

Syria's foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, speaks during a press conference in Damascus, Syria, December 30, 2024. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
Syria's foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, speaks during a press conference in Damascus, Syria, December 30, 2024. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
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Syria, Egypt FMs Discuss Regional Peace

Syria's foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, speaks during a press conference in Damascus, Syria, December 30, 2024. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
Syria's foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, speaks during a press conference in Damascus, Syria, December 30, 2024. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, appointed by the new rulers, said on social media on Tuesday that he had received a phone call from his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, in which they discussed the importance of both countries in bringing peace to the region.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Abdelatty stressed his country's support for the Syrian people and its legitimate aspirations, calling on all parties to "preserve Syria's national institutions, its unity and sovereignty."

Egypt's top diplomat also emphasized the importance that "the political process adopts an inclusive approach" for all Syrian national parties, reflecting the societal, religious, sectarian and ethnic diversity within Syria.

Both ministers agreed to stay in contact.



White House Urges Hamas to Sign on to New Deal to Ensure Hostage Release

Palestinian boys examine a car targeted in an Israeli army strike that killed several of its occupants in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinian boys examine a car targeted in an Israeli army strike that killed several of its occupants in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
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White House Urges Hamas to Sign on to New Deal to Ensure Hostage Release

Palestinian boys examine a car targeted in an Israeli army strike that killed several of its occupants in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinian boys examine a car targeted in an Israeli army strike that killed several of its occupants in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

The Biden administration is urging Hamas to sign on to a new ceasefire deal that would ensure the release of hostages, White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Friday.

Kirby said the White House welcomed Israel's decision to send another team to Doha to continue negotiations.

The United States, Egypt and Qatar have been trying to mediate a deal for a ceasefire and hostage release for a year with no success and are making another push this month before Donald Trump's inauguration.
Ceasefire efforts have continually stumbled on a fundamental disagreement over how to end the conflict. Hamas says it will accept an agreement and release the hostages only if Israel commits to ending the war. Israel says it will agree to stop fighting only once Hamas is destroyed.

On Friday, Hamas said it wanted "a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip" and the return of displaced people to their homes in all areas of the enclave.

US President Joe Biden has repeatedly called for a ceasefire agreement. Trump has said that if there is not a deal to release the hostages before his inauguration, "all hell is going to break out.”