Egypt, Turkey to Exchange Ambassadors Soon

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a Justice and Development Party meeting (AFP)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a Justice and Development Party meeting (AFP)
TT

Egypt, Turkey to Exchange Ambassadors Soon

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a Justice and Development Party meeting (AFP)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a Justice and Development Party meeting (AFP)

Turkey said that ties with Egypt are improving, saying that a meeting be held soon between their foreign ministers to name ambassadors to each other's countries

The two countries pulled back their ambassadors in 2013 and reduced their level of representation to charge d’affaires.

Ankara pointed out that there are a number of issues that must be coordinated and tackled with Cairo.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced that both countries are engaged in ongoing talks, noting that his meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry has not yet been determined, but soon be.

Cavusoglu said in an interview with Turkish state television that the meeting of the foreign ministers and the resumption of diplomatic representation at the level of ambassador will take place during the coming period, stressing that efforts will be made to boost those relations.

The minister believes that Turkey and Egypt are not on different sides on the Libyan issue, adding that the two countries can also cooperate on the issue of Palestine.

Earlier, Spokesman for Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party Omer Celik said that his country and Egypt have work to do regarding bilateral relations, Libya and the Mediterranean.

Following a meeting of the Executive Committee of the ruling party headed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Celik underlined the need for coordination with Egypt on several important issues, pointing to ongoing discussions aimed at improving bilateral relations.

The intelligence services in the two countries continue their talks on security issues, despite the rupture of relations between Ankara and Cairo, Celik said.

The talks that started between our intelligence services have moved to the framework of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From now on, steps will be taken to enable us to focus on concrete issues through mutual discussions and consultations.

Last week, Erdogan said that his country wants to make the most of opportunities for cooperation with Egypt and to improve relations based on mutual benefit.

“Our cultural relations are very strong, and we have solid historical ties with Egypt. We have great potential for cooperation in a wide range of fields, from the eastern Mediterranean to Libya,” the Turkish president stated.

After a series of Turkish statements of rapprochement with Egypt, which were followed by contacts between the two countries' intelligence services, a Turkish delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal visited Cairo on May 5-6.

A joint statement revealed that the discussions touched on bilateral and a number of regional issues.



Israeli Forces Surround Lebanon’s Khiam Ahead of Storming it

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
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Israeli Forces Surround Lebanon’s Khiam Ahead of Storming it

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)

Israeli forces have blocked supply routes to the southern Lebanese border city of al-Khiam ahead of storming it.

They have also surrounded the strategic city with Hezbollah fighters still inside, launching artillery and air attacks against them.

Hezbollah fighters have been holding out in Khiam for 25 days. The capture of the city would be significant and allow Israeli forces easier passage into southern Lebanon.

Field sources said Israeli forces have already entered some neighborhoods of Khiam from its eastern and southern outskirts, expanding their incursion into its northern and eastern sectors to fully capture the city.

They cast doubt on claims that the city has been fully captured, saying fighting is still taking place deeper inside its streets and alleys, citing the ongoing artillery fire and drone and air raids.

Israel has already cut off Hezbollah’s supply routes by seizing control of Bourj al-Mamlouk, Tall al-Nahas and olive groves in al-Qlaa in the Marayoun region. Its forces have also fanned out to the west towards the Litani River.

The troops have set up a “line of fire” spanning at least seven kms around Khiam to deter anti-tank attacks from Hezbollah and to launch artillery, drone and aerial attacks, said the sources.

The intense pressure has forced Hezbollah to resort to suicide drone attacks against Israeli forces.

Hezbollah’s al-Manar television said Israeli forces tried to carry out a new incursion towards Khiam’s northern neighborhoods.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that since Friday night, Israeli forces have been using “all forms of weapons in their attempt to capture Khiam, which Israel views as a strategic gateway through which it can make rapid ground advances.”

It reported an increase in air and artillery attacks in the past two days as the forces try to storm the city.

The troops are trying to advance on Khiam by first surrounding it from all sides under air cover, it continued.

They are also booby-trapping some homes and buildings and then destroying them, similar to what they have done in other southern towns, such as Adeisseh, Yaround, Aitaroun and Mais al-Jabal.

Khiam holds symbolic significance to the Lebanese people because it was the first city liberated following Israel’s implementation of United Nations Security Council 425 on May 25, 2000, that led to its withdrawal from the South in a day that Hezbollah has since declared Liberation Day.