Saudi, Egypt FMs Hold Talks on De-escalating Tensions in the Region

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meet in Cairo in September. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meet in Cairo in September. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi, Egypt FMs Hold Talks on De-escalating Tensions in the Region

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meet in Cairo in September. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meet in Cairo in September. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held telephone talks on Sunday to discuss the upcoming moves of the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee and its engagement with international parties regarding the Arab plan for early recovery and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.

The two ministers affirmed the continuation of joint coordination between their countries to help de-escalate tensions in the region and prevent it from sliding into further instability, said a statement by Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Tamim Khallaf.

The phone call was part of ongoing consultations between Cairo and Riyadh to follow up on efforts to reinstate the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and ensure the implementation of its three phases amid the ongoing Israeli escalation in the region.

The ministers reviewed the latest developments on a number of regional issues, exchanging views on several crises.

Cairo previously had hosted an emergency Arab summit on March 4, which adopted a “comprehensive Arab plan” for the reconstruction of Gaza. The plan later received Islamic backing.

The summit’s final statement at the time highlighted coordination within the joint Arab-Islamic ministerial committee to conduct international outreach and explain the reconstruction plan while reaffirming the Palestinian people’s right to remain on their land and determine their own future.

At the end of last month, Cairo hosted a joint Arab-Islamic ministerial meeting with European participation to follow up on the outcomes of the emergency summit and promote the Gaza reconstruction plan.

The meeting resulted in consensus on the need for a ceasefire and full support for the Arab plan to rebuild Gaza.



Trump Arrives in Qatar after Historic Riyadh Visit

US President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attend a signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar, May 14, 2025. (Reuters)
US President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attend a signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar, May 14, 2025. (Reuters)
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Trump Arrives in Qatar after Historic Riyadh Visit

US President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attend a signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar, May 14, 2025. (Reuters)
US President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attend a signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar, May 14, 2025. (Reuters)

US President Donald Trump arrived in Doha on Wednesday on the second leg of his Gulf tour that he started in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

He was welcomed upon his arrival by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

Meeting later at the Royal Palace in Doha, Trump and Sheikh Tamim signed economic and defense agreements.

The first had Qatar buying airplanes from Boeing, the American aerospace company whose chief executive attended the event. Trump said it was the largest order of jets in the company history, worth over $200 billion.

Next up was a defense deal and the purchase of military drones.

The final cooperation agreement was signed by Trump and Al Thani themselves.

Before departing to Doha, Trump sat down for a historic meeting with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh.

Trump said the rapprochement with Syria came at the urging of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“There is a new government that will hopefully succeed,” said Trump, who announced he'll move to lift sanctions on Syria to give the country “a chance at peace.”