Pedersen Informed in Cairo of Arab Interest in Expanding Scope of Syria Settlement

Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit meets with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen. Asharq Al-Awsat
Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit meets with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen. Asharq Al-Awsat
TT

Pedersen Informed in Cairo of Arab Interest in Expanding Scope of Syria Settlement

Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit meets with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen. Asharq Al-Awsat
Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit meets with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen. Asharq Al-Awsat

Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit has pointed out that outstanding issues in Syria could not be resolved by its Constitutional Committee, despite being a first step in confidence-building.

His comment highlighted the importance of expanding the scope of political solutions in Syria.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stressed the need to take all the steps needed to resolve the Syrian crisis in line with a decisive and effective response against terrorist organizations.

The remarks of Aboul Gheit and the Egyptian FM were made during UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen’s three-day visit to Cairo on Wednesday.

Discussions have focused on advancing the peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis.

According to Aboul Gheit, the Arab League attaches great importance to ending the stalemate in Syria after ten years of conflict.

Syrians, represented by both the government and the opposition, should be aware of the threat posed by the status quo, a senior official in the organization’s General Secretariat quoted Aboul Gheit as saying.

He pointed to the need to reach compromises and end the suffering of Syrians in Syria and abroad.

Abou Gheit called for creative means for a settlement to the Syrian war, which has been overwhelmed by political differences.

A foreign ministry statement stressed Egypt’s rejection to any forced demographic change in Syria.

Commenting on Pedersen’s visit, Professor of Political Science at the American University of Cairo Dr. Noha Bakr said it comes as part of the international community’s acknowledgment of Egypt’s vision on the crisis in Syria.

Bakr told Asharq Al-Awsat that Cairo has always been calling for a political solution in Syria.



EU Naval Mission Says It Destroyed Two Drones in Gulf of Aden

Houthi supporters hold up weapons during a protest against the US and Israel, and in solidarity with the Palestinian people, in Sanaa, Yemen, 05 July 2024. (EPA)
Houthi supporters hold up weapons during a protest against the US and Israel, and in solidarity with the Palestinian people, in Sanaa, Yemen, 05 July 2024. (EPA)
TT

EU Naval Mission Says It Destroyed Two Drones in Gulf of Aden

Houthi supporters hold up weapons during a protest against the US and Israel, and in solidarity with the Palestinian people, in Sanaa, Yemen, 05 July 2024. (EPA)
Houthi supporters hold up weapons during a protest against the US and Israel, and in solidarity with the Palestinian people, in Sanaa, Yemen, 05 July 2024. (EPA)

The EU naval mission protecting ships crossing the Red Sea said its frigate Psara had destroyed two unmanned aerial vehicles in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday.

The Aspides mission began in February in response to drone and missile attacks on vessels by Iranian-aligned Houthi militias.

The Houthis claim the attacks are acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Israel's war in Gaza.

Other countries, including the United States, also have naval forces operating in the area.