Egypt’s FM Says Cyprus, Greece Not Upset With Egyptian-Turkish Rapprochement

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. (KUNA)
Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. (KUNA)
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Egypt’s FM Says Cyprus, Greece Not Upset With Egyptian-Turkish Rapprochement

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. (KUNA)
Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. (KUNA)

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has reassured that Greece and Cyprus are not upset with the Egyptian-Turkish rapprochement.

Cyprus and Greece are not upset with such rapprochement, he said Shukry, adding: “We are informing them about all the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean region.”

On Egyptian-Turkish relations, the foreign minister said Egypt is assessing Turkish policies hoping for the removal of all obstacles that hinder building mutual relations.

Egypt is working on exploring how Ankara is ready to have relations with Cairo on a proper basis and its compliance with international law, the minister added.

Regarding Libya, the eastern Mediterranean, and the Muslim Brotherhood, Shoukry said these matters are of great significance for Egypt's security and stability.

He also stressed the importance for Ankara to distance itself from anything that destabilizes Egypt.

The FM pointed out that if Turkey did not extradite Muslim Brotherhood members to Egypt or close Brotherhood-affiliated TV channels, the situation would be more difficult, saying all these policies are being monitored and ties could be established in case of any progress.

On Qatar, Shoukry said Egypt is implementing the decisions reached at the summit in AlUla, saying that committees have been formed to restore Egyptian-Qatari ties.

He reaffirmed that Egypt always seeks to be on good terms with its regional and international partners.

Regarding the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to visit Doha, the minister said such a trip would take place at the appropriate time.



Pentagon Acknowledges There Are More than 2,500 US Troops in Iraq

A US soldier is seen at a military base near Mosul, Iraq. (Reuters file)
A US soldier is seen at a military base near Mosul, Iraq. (Reuters file)
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Pentagon Acknowledges There Are More than 2,500 US Troops in Iraq

A US soldier is seen at a military base near Mosul, Iraq. (Reuters file)
A US soldier is seen at a military base near Mosul, Iraq. (Reuters file)

The Pentagon acknowledged Monday that there are more than 2,500 US troops in Iraq, the total routinely touted publicly. It also said the number of forces in Syria has grown over the past “several years” due to increasing threats, but was not openly disclosed.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, said in a statement that there are “at least 2,500” US military personnel in Iraq “plus some additional, temporary enablers” that are on rotational deployments.

He said that due to diplomatic considerations, the department will not provide more specifics.

The US concluded sensitive negotiations with the government of Iraq in September that called for troops to begin leaving after the November election.

The presence of US troops there has long been a political liability for Iraqi leaders who are under increased pressure and influence from Iran.

US officials have not provided details about the withdrawal agreement, but it calls for the mission against the ISIS group to end by September 2025, and that some US troops will remain through 2026 to support the anti-ISIS mission in Syria. Some troops may stay in the Kurdistan region after that because the regional government would like them to stay.

Ryder announced last week that there are about 2,000 US troops in Syria – more than double the 900 that the US had acknowledged publicly until now.

On Monday he said the extra 1,100 would be deployed for shorter times to do force protection, transportation, maintenance and other missions. He said the number has fluctuated for the past several years and increased “over time.”