Egypt, Jordan, Iraq Agree on ‘Strategic Cooperation’ to Restore Regional Stability

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (C) shakes hands with King Abdullah II of Jordan (L) and Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi in Cairo, Egypt, March 24, 2019. (Xinhua/MENA)
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (C) shakes hands with King Abdullah II of Jordan (L) and Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi in Cairo, Egypt, March 24, 2019. (Xinhua/MENA)
TT

Egypt, Jordan, Iraq Agree on ‘Strategic Cooperation’ to Restore Regional Stability

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (C) shakes hands with King Abdullah II of Jordan (L) and Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi in Cairo, Egypt, March 24, 2019. (Xinhua/MENA)
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (C) shakes hands with King Abdullah II of Jordan (L) and Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi in Cairo, Egypt, March 24, 2019. (Xinhua/MENA)

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah el-Sisi, Jordan's King Abdullah II, and Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi affirmed on Sunday during their three-way summit in Cairo their commitment to maintaining strategic cooperation and coordination with Arab countries to restore regional stability and reach solutions to crises.

In a joint communiqué issued after the summit, the three countries called on regional and international efforts to counter terrorism within a holistic approach.

The leaders emphasized the importance of combatting terrorism in all its forms and confronting everyone supporting terrorism by offering financing, armament, safe shelters, or media platforms, according to the communiqué.

They also stressed on the importance to end "the all-out battle" against terrorism, particularly after recent military setbacks suffered by ISIS in Iraq and neighboring Syria.

The meeting also covered the importance of capitalizing on the potential of the three countries' geographical connectivity and their joint strategic and economic interests.

Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan also noted the importance of supporting the Palestinian people in securing all their legitimate rights, including the right to an independent state on their national soil with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with international laws and relevant UN resolutions.

The three countries agreed to hold regular trilateral meetings to coordinate their positions and policies in the best interests of their peoples and in the pursuit of economic prosperity, while cooperating with fraternal and friendly states and building balanced international relations.

Sunday’s meeting in Cairo comes ahead of the annual Arab League summit due to be held later this month in Tunisia.

The three leaders hoped the upcoming Arab summit in Tunisia would lead to restoring Arab solidarity and bolstering joint action within the framework of the Arab League.

Ahead of the summit, Sisi and King Abdullah held talks focused on the advanced level of Jordanian-Egyptian ties and means to bolster economic and investment cooperation, as well as to maintain coordination on various issues.



Reports: US to Withdraw All Troops from Syria

A US Army patrol in the Syrian city of Qamishli (Reuters file photo)
A US Army patrol in the Syrian city of Qamishli (Reuters file photo)
TT

Reports: US to Withdraw All Troops from Syria

A US Army patrol in the Syrian city of Qamishli (Reuters file photo)
A US Army patrol in the Syrian city of Qamishli (Reuters file photo)

The United States is planning to withdraw all of its 1,000 troops from Syria over the next two months, according to US media reports.

Washington will end its presence in the country after the Syrian government extended its control over the country and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces once key to fighting ISIS pledged to integrate into the state, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Television network CBS also reported on the plan, citing unnamed US officials.

The decision comes after US forces recently withdrew from some bases
in Syria including Al-Tanf and Al-Shadadi, which were used in the US-led international coalition's fight against ISIS, AFP reported.

The US is building up its military capabilities near Iran, where officials have vowed to respond to any attack by laying siege to American military outposts in the region.

US media reported Wednesday that Washington will be ready to launch strikes against Iran as early as this weekend, though Trump has reportedly not made a final decision yet.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


Canada Eases Sanctions on Syria

13 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, arrives at the Bavarian Hof for the 62nd Munich Security Conference. Photo: Felix Hörhager/dpa
13 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, arrives at the Bavarian Hof for the 62nd Munich Security Conference. Photo: Felix Hörhager/dpa
TT

Canada Eases Sanctions on Syria

13 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, arrives at the Bavarian Hof for the 62nd Munich Security Conference. Photo: Felix Hörhager/dpa
13 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, arrives at the Bavarian Hof for the 62nd Munich Security Conference. Photo: Felix Hörhager/dpa

Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand said on Wednesday that Canada had amended its economic sanctions on Syria ‌to ease ‌restrictions related ‌to the ⁠import and export ⁠of goods, investment activities and the provision of financial and other ⁠services, according to Reuters.

"The amendments also ‌remove ‌24 entities and ‌one individual from ‌the Syria Regulations to reduce barriers to economic activity and ‌to enable transactions with state-affiliated entities ⁠in ⁠key sectors critical to Syria’s recovery," Anand said in a statement.


Tetteh: Despite UN Engagement, No Progress in Libya Roadmap

Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Hanna Tetteh Getty)
Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Hanna Tetteh Getty)
TT

Tetteh: Despite UN Engagement, No Progress in Libya Roadmap

Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Hanna Tetteh Getty)
Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Hanna Tetteh Getty)

The UN’s top envoy for Libya, Hanna Tetteh, has informed the Security Council that despite active United Nations engagement, the Libyan House of Representatives and the High Council of State have failed to make progress on the first steps of the agreed political roadmap, including establishing a mechanism to select the board of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) and advancing electoral legislation.

Briefing the Council in New York on Wednesday, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General said: “Their inability to use their agreed mechanism and follow-on unilateral actions has further eroded their credibility."

Tetteh added that Libyan public perceptions reflect a growing belief that the bodies are “unable or unwilling” to deliver.

She told Council members that she has begun consultations with key actors on an alternative two-step approach aimed at restoring momentum. Should a smaller group of Libyan representatives fail to agree on the roadmap’s milestones, she warned, a broader convening would be required. “We cannot wait indefinitely,” she emphasized.

The UN envoy also issued a stark warning about escalating tensions within Libya’s judicial system.

She said “contradictory, parallel judicial decisions put into jeopardy the unity of the legal and judicial systems,” cautioning that the situation “is a red line that if crossed can undermine the unity of the state.”

She urged Libyan leaders to refrain from further escalatory steps and called on the Council to hold accountable those taking actions that threaten to fracture the judiciary.

Tetteh also warned that transnational criminal networks continue to expand, turning Libya into a major transit hub for drug trafficking and sustaining illicit economies linked to corruption and armed groups.