Egypt Chairs AU Peace, Security Council

African leaders and delegates attend the Africa Union Peace and Security Council (File photo: Reuters)
African leaders and delegates attend the Africa Union Peace and Security Council (File photo: Reuters)
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Egypt Chairs AU Peace, Security Council

African leaders and delegates attend the Africa Union Peace and Security Council (File photo: Reuters)
African leaders and delegates attend the Africa Union Peace and Security Council (File photo: Reuters)

Egypt is exerting all efforts to combat extremism and terrorism during its presidency of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU) this November.

The AU announced that Egypt will chair the presidency of Peace and Security Council in light of Egypt's "diplomatic successes and efforts to play an effective role in supporting and strengthening the peace and security in the African continent."

The Peace Council said that Egypt's efforts would focus on managing disasters in Africa and finding lasting solutions to confront challenges such as terrorism, illegal immigration, and the repercussions of climate change on continental peace and security.

The Peace and Security Council is scheduled to discuss the report of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on continental efforts to prevent and combat terrorism.

The Council provides an opportunity for members to develop a strategy to enhance efforts to combat terrorism and extremism through its various research and studies centers.

The Peace and Security Council is an organ of the African Union for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts and follows the model of the UN Security Council. It has 15 members with equal voting powers, elected by the AU Executive Council and endorsed by the AU Assembly during its ordinary sessions.

Egypt holds the membership of the Council for the North African region between 2020 and 2022.

Since assuming the presidency in 2019, Cairo has intensified its presence within the institutions of the Union and strengthened its relationship with the countries through initiatives and cooperation agreements covering all fields.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian Armed Forces concluded Sunday three training programs delivered to 67 military personnel from 18 African states.

The programs were held in collaboration with the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development, affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A ceremony was held Saturday evening to distribute the certificates in the presence of several Egyptian commanders, and African ambassadors, and military attaches.

The Head of the Armed Forces Training Authority delivered a speech where he addressed all activities and areas of cooperation that prepared and qualified students from African countries.

Assistant to Minister of Defense Major General Medhat al-Nahas delivered a speech asserting Egypt's keenness to concert efforts with African countries and work jointly to boost cooperation and development on the African continent in various fields.



Iraq Sends Delegation to Damascus to Study Restoring Oil Pipeline Via Syria

A worker walks at the Rumaila oil field in Basra, Iraq (Reuters file photo)
A worker walks at the Rumaila oil field in Basra, Iraq (Reuters file photo)
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Iraq Sends Delegation to Damascus to Study Restoring Oil Pipeline Via Syria

A worker walks at the Rumaila oil field in Basra, Iraq (Reuters file photo)
A worker walks at the Rumaila oil field in Basra, Iraq (Reuters file photo)

Iraq sent a delegation to Damascus on Friday to study the possibility of restoring an Iraqi oil pipeline that transports oil through Syria to Mediterranean ports, the prime minister's office said. The Iraqi delegation, led by the head of the National Intelligence Service, is also set to discuss counter-terrorism cooperation, border security and ways to expand trade between the two countries, the office added. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani held talks with Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Qatar this month, marking their first meeting since the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad in December after more than 13 years of civil war, Reuters said. Syria is facing a severe energy crisis after the collapse of its oil industry during civil war and is now turning to local intermediaries for oil imports. Its efforts to secure oil through public tenders have been largely unsuccessful owing to international sanctions and financial risks.