Egypt, US Agree on Importance of Political Solutions for Regional Crises

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi meeting the Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Robert Menendez (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi meeting the Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Robert Menendez (Egyptian Presidency)
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Egypt, US Agree on Importance of Political Solutions for Regional Crises

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi meeting the Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Robert Menendez (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi meeting the Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Robert Menendez (Egyptian Presidency)

Egypt and the US agreed on the need to strengthen efforts toward reaching political solutions to regional crises to ensure the territorial integrity of states and the resources of their peoples.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met on Thursday with the Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Robert Menendez, in the presence of Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Director of the General Intelligence Service Abbas Kamel, and US Ambassador to Cairo Jonathan Cohen.

Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said that Menendez expressed his profound appreciation for Egypt's role, under Sisi’s leadership, in combating terrorism and extremist ideology, and efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development for its citizens.

Sisi underscored the "robust and longstanding strategic relations between Egypt and the US," reiterating Cairo's commitment to further advancing bilateral relations in light of the regional developments and challenges, primarily the growing threat of terrorism.

Menendez stressed that the US also accords great importance to its relations with Egypt, valuing the "outstanding level of their cooperation."

He noted that Egypt is a cornerstone for security and stability in the Middle East and the Arab world and a vital partner in the region.

He also reiterated the US administration's appreciation for Egyptian efforts to restore calm in the Gaza Strip.

The President affirmed "Egypt's position in support of the various efforts exerted to revitalize the peace process and resume negotiations."

Sisi stressed Egypt's firm position in this regard, namely to reach a "just and comprehensive solution that guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent state, under international references, opening up prospects for peaceful coexistence among all peoples of the region."

Earlier, Sisi received a phone call from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The presidential spokesman stated that they discussed the ongoing preparations for the COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference, which will take place in Glasgow, UK.

Both leaders stressed the need to strengthen coordination to ensure that this session would bring about positive results to promote the international community's efforts amid the current global climate crisis.

They also touched on the most prominent forms of bilateral relations and ways to develop them in defense, security, and combating terrorism, including means to revive tourism from Britain to Egypt.

They discussed regional developments, especially the situation in Libya, and agreed to support holding the elections there as scheduled by the end of this year.

They also stressed that it is crucial that all foreign forces and mercenaries leave Libya.



Israel Targets Suspected Arms Smuggler in Airstrike Near Beirut

Lebanese soldiers inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a vehicle south of Beirut (AFP)
Lebanese soldiers inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a vehicle south of Beirut (AFP)
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Israel Targets Suspected Arms Smuggler in Airstrike Near Beirut

Lebanese soldiers inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a vehicle south of Beirut (AFP)
Lebanese soldiers inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a vehicle south of Beirut (AFP)

An Israeli airstrike killed a suspected arms smuggler south of Beirut on Thursday, in a sharp escalation in Lebanon that coincided with internal talks over Hezbollah’s disarmament in line with US demands, Lebanese officials said.

The strike targeted a vehicle on the coastal highway in the Khalde area, just south of the Lebanese capital, according to the state-run National News Agency. Social media footage showed a missile hitting a car, which came to a halt before a second strike hit the driver as he attempted to flee.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirmed one person was killed and three others wounded in the attack.

The Israeli military said the strike eliminated an operative working on behalf of Iran’s Quds Force, accusing him of trafficking weapons and planning attacks against Israeli civilians and military forces.

Israel’s Army Radio reported that the individual was affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The strike comes amid rising tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border and as Lebanese factions discuss the future of Hezbollah’s weapons amid pressure from Washington to curtail the group’s military power.

Thursday’s airstrike was one of the few Israeli attacks in or near Beirut since the truce with Hezbollah took effect in November.

Only two other strikes have been recorded in the area over the past eight months, including one on Eid al-Fitr that killed a senior Hezbollah figure allegedly linked to coordination with Hamas in the group’s southern Beirut stronghold.

Another strike in Naameh, south of the capital, targeted and killed a senior official from the Islamic Group, a Sunni faction with ties to southern Lebanon’s Hasbaya region.

The latest escalation comes as Lebanese leaders prepare a unified response to a US-backed proposal calling for Hezbollah to disarm and place all weapons under state control.

Despite the ceasefire, Israel has maintained positions in southern Lebanon beyond the agreed February withdrawal deadline and continues to carry out airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon, following more than a year of cross-border hostilities with Hezbollah.