Egyptian Defense Minister Heads to Russia for Military Talks

The Egyptian Defense Minister and his Russian counterpart in Cairo in 2019 during the sixth meeting of the Joint Military Committee. (Egyptian Military Spokesperson)
The Egyptian Defense Minister and his Russian counterpart in Cairo in 2019 during the sixth meeting of the Joint Military Committee. (Egyptian Military Spokesperson)
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Egyptian Defense Minister Heads to Russia for Military Talks

The Egyptian Defense Minister and his Russian counterpart in Cairo in 2019 during the sixth meeting of the Joint Military Committee. (Egyptian Military Spokesperson)
The Egyptian Defense Minister and his Russian counterpart in Cairo in 2019 during the sixth meeting of the Joint Military Committee. (Egyptian Military Spokesperson)

Egypt’s Minister of Defense and Military Production Mohamed Zaki headed Sunday to Moscow, chairing a top delegation for a trip that will last several days and strengthen bilateral military relations.

The minister is scheduled to attend the seventh meeting of the Egyptian-Russian Joint Military Committee with several leaders and officials at the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The meeting will discuss many issues of common interest and support military cooperation relations between the armed forces of both nations.

Russia and Egypt signed a Comprehensive Partnership and Strategic Cooperation agreement in 2018.

It strengthens cooperation between Russia and Egypt in political, commercial, economic, and cultural fields and defines mechanisms to enhance collaboration between Moscow and Cairo.

In November 2019, the Egyptian Defense Minister received his Russian counterpart, General Sergey Shoygu, along with a Russian military delegation, during the sixth meeting of the Joint Military Committee.

The previous meeting touched on ways to enhance cooperation in light of the good relations that bind the two countries and exchange visions towards developments at the regional and international levels and their impact on security and stability in the Middle East.

The two ministers chaired the meetings of the Joint Committee. The meetings also addressed exchanging experiences and joint training between the armed forces of both countries.

During the previous meeting, the Egyptian Minister of Defense stressed his country’s pride in its well-established relations with Russia.

He noted that the armed forces are keen to increase cooperation and partnership in various military and security fields.

The Russian minister addressed Moscow’s desire to enhance aspects of cooperation, with Egypt being a pivotal country.

He lauded Cairo’s prominent role in combating terrorism and supporting security and stability efforts in the region.



UN Envoy: Situation in Syria ‘Dangerous’ and Threatens ISIS Resurgence

FILED - 29 November 2020, Switzerland, Geneva: Geir Otto Pedersen, United Nations special envoy for Syria, speaks during a press conference at the UN's European headquarters. Photo: Violaine Martin/UN Geneva/dpa
FILED - 29 November 2020, Switzerland, Geneva: Geir Otto Pedersen, United Nations special envoy for Syria, speaks during a press conference at the UN's European headquarters. Photo: Violaine Martin/UN Geneva/dpa
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UN Envoy: Situation in Syria ‘Dangerous’ and Threatens ISIS Resurgence

FILED - 29 November 2020, Switzerland, Geneva: Geir Otto Pedersen, United Nations special envoy for Syria, speaks during a press conference at the UN's European headquarters. Photo: Violaine Martin/UN Geneva/dpa
FILED - 29 November 2020, Switzerland, Geneva: Geir Otto Pedersen, United Nations special envoy for Syria, speaks during a press conference at the UN's European headquarters. Photo: Violaine Martin/UN Geneva/dpa

Geir Pedersen, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, warned on Tuesday that the situation in Syria is extremely fluid and dangerous, as a vast swathe of territory has come under the control of non-state actors.

At a briefing to the Security Council on the situation in the country, Pedersen also cautioned that developments may lead to the resurgence of ISIS.

“Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) and armed opposition groups are gaining ground, advancing very close to Hama – a major city of some 1 million people,” he said.

In addition, the envoy warned of the potential for conflict on other axes in Syria, adding that further military escalation risks mass displacement and civilian casualties.

“I appeal to all parties to their obligations under international law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and allow safe passage for Syrians fleeing violence,” Pedersen told the Council.

He then urged deescalation and a rapid move to a serious political process to avoid a deepening of the crisis that threatens the territorial integrity and safety of Syria.

“If we do not see deescalation and a rapid move to a serious political process, involving the Syrian parties and the key international players, then I fear we will see a deepening of the crisis,” he said.

Pederson then revealed that he will return to the region “soon,” and he expressed his readiness to use his good offices to convene international and Syria stakeholders in new and comprehensive peace talks on Syria.

The envoy asked that deescalation be accompanied by a credible political horizon for the Syrian people

Over the past few days, armed factions in northwestern Syria led by the HTS launched a military assault against pro-Assad forces, seizing Aleppo and Idlib. They continue to advance towards the city of Hama.