Egyptian, US Presidents Discuss Regional Developments

Egyptian, US Presidents Discuss Regional Developments
TT
20

Egyptian, US Presidents Discuss Regional Developments

Egyptian, US Presidents Discuss Regional Developments

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries, in addition to regional developments.

Sisi received a phone call from Trump on Thursday, according to Egyptian presidency spokesperson Bassam Rady.

"President Trump stressed the value of the fruitful partnership and constructive cooperation between the United States and Egypt, and the centrality of the mutual understanding between the two countries in enhancing security and stability in the Middle East region."

The spokesman affirmed that for his part, "President Sisi expressed during the call his gratitude and appreciation for President Trump's efforts and contributions in consolidating the extended friendship between the two countries," wishing "all the best and prosperity for the United States of America and its friendly people."

According to Rady, "the telephone call dealt with exchanging views and appreciation regarding the developments of a number of regional issues of common interest, as well as discussing some issues of bilateral cooperation relations between Egypt and the United States."

During a phone call last June, Trump had expressed to his Egyptian counterpart Washington’s commitment to "facilitating reaching a fair agreement” on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

In November 2019, the United States sought to mediate an agreement between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan on the rules of filling and operating the dam.

However, no agreement was reached, although Washington pushed towards signing an agreement, which Egypt considered "fair and balanced."

At the time, Ethiopia accused the US of "not acting diplomatically."

The African Union is sponsoring the latest round of the discussions.



Lebanon Army Says 3 Troops Killed in Munitions Blast in South

A Lebanese army soldier and forensics experts inspect a burnt-out vehicle in Braiqaa, in south Lebanon's Nabatiyeh district, after what the military called a munitions blast. Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP
A Lebanese army soldier and forensics experts inspect a burnt-out vehicle in Braiqaa, in south Lebanon's Nabatiyeh district, after what the military called a munitions blast. Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP
TT
20

Lebanon Army Says 3 Troops Killed in Munitions Blast in South

A Lebanese army soldier and forensics experts inspect a burnt-out vehicle in Braiqaa, in south Lebanon's Nabatiyeh district, after what the military called a munitions blast. Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP
A Lebanese army soldier and forensics experts inspect a burnt-out vehicle in Braiqaa, in south Lebanon's Nabatiyeh district, after what the military called a munitions blast. Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP

Lebanon's military said a munitions blast in the country's war-torn south killed an officer and two soldiers on Sunday, days after an explosion killed another soldier.
Under a November truce deal that ended a war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, the army has been deploying in south Lebanon and dismantling the militant group's infrastructure there, said AFP.

"An army officer and two soldiers were killed and a number of citizens were injured due to an explosion of ammunition as it was being transported inside an army vehicle" in Braiqaa, in south Lebanon's Nabatiyeh district, an army statement said.

Specialized army units were investigating the circumstances of the incident, the statement added.

An AFP correspondent in Braiqaa, around 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the Israeli border, saw several charred and burnt vehicles on the road, with some damage to nearby shops and flats.

The army had cordoned off the area.

President Joseph Aoun offered his condolences for the three servicemen "who fell while performing their mission to preserve security and stability" and to keep south Lebanon residents from harm, a presidency statement said.

On Monday, the army said a soldier was killed and three others wounded in an explosion in the country's south, where Aoun said they had been dismantling mines in a tunnel.
According to the ceasefire, Hezbollah was to pull its fighters north of Lebanon's Litani River. Israel was to withdraw all its forces but has kept troops in five places it deems "strategic".