UAE, Egypt's FM to Discuss 3 Files

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (R) and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a joint press conference July 5, 2017 (Photo credit should read KHALED ELFIQI/AFP/Getty Images)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (R) and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a joint press conference July 5, 2017 (Photo credit should read KHALED ELFIQI/AFP/Getty Images)
TT

UAE, Egypt's FM to Discuss 3 Files

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (R) and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a joint press conference July 5, 2017 (Photo credit should read KHALED ELFIQI/AFP/Getty Images)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (R) and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a joint press conference July 5, 2017 (Photo credit should read KHALED ELFIQI/AFP/Getty Images)

Foreign Minister of Egypt Sameh Shoukry and UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan will discuss a series of political issues, primarily the crisis of Qatar and recent developments in Libya.

Sources informed Asharq al-Awsat that the two officials will also explore the possibility of resuming peace process in the Middle East because of negotiations between Palestine and Israel were suspended.

Shoukry headed Friday night to the UAE on a several days' visit, where he will attend the 8th Sir Bani Yas forum organized by UAE foreign ministry in cooperation with the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Foreign ministry's spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid stated that the annual event is a platform for figures and senior political officials to touch on regional and international peace and security issues within an unofficial framework.

The officials are expected to discuss several political issues like Qatari crisis, peace process in the Middle East, and situations in Libya and Iraq, added the spokesman.

Shoukry's participation is part of Egypt's keenness to maintain constant contact and exchange views between experts and top officials on peace, security and stability in the Middle East, added Abu Zeid.



US Says Committed to 'Diplomatic Resolution' in Lebanon

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
TT

US Says Committed to 'Diplomatic Resolution' in Lebanon

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed that the United States was dedicated to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon and urged Israel to improve "dire" conditions in Gaza, in a call Saturday with his Israeli counterpart.

Austin "reiterated US commitment to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon that allows Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the border" in his call with Israel Katz, according to a Pentagon spokesperson.

Austin also "urged the Government of Israel to continue to take steps to improve the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and emphasized the US commitment to securing the release of all hostages, including US citizens."

Lebanon said Saturday that an Israeli air strike in the heart of Beirut that brought down a residential building and jolted residents across the city killed at least 11 people.

Israel stepped up its campaign against the Hezbollah militant group in late September, targeting its strongholds in Lebanon.

Lebanon's health ministry says at least 3,645 people have been killed since October 2023, when Hezbollah began trading fire with Israel in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas.

The United Nations and others have repeatedly decried humanitarian conditions, particularly in northern Gaza, where Israel said Friday it had killed two commanders involved in Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack.

In the call with Katz, Austin also discussed ongoing Israeli operations and reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad commitment to Israel's security," the Pentagon said.