Egypt, Algeria Seek to Boost Political, Economic Cooperation

Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat holding talks with Algerian ambassador in Cairo Hameed Shbeira (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat holding talks with Algerian ambassador in Cairo Hameed Shbeira (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt, Algeria Seek to Boost Political, Economic Cooperation

Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat holding talks with Algerian ambassador in Cairo Hameed Shbeira (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat holding talks with Algerian ambassador in Cairo Hameed Shbeira (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat met with the Algerian ambassador in Cairo, Hameed Shbeira, ahead of the Joint Higher Committee meeting between the two countries.

The talks addressed the developments of cooperation in various fields, preparations for the Joint Higher Committee, and the results of previous sessions at the level of joint committees.

Mashat expressed Egypt's aspiration to advance bilateral relations in various fields taking advantage of the great economic potentials of both countries.

She stressed the keenness of both political leaderships to overcome any obstacle that might prevent economic integration.

Mashat asserted the importance of reactivating the role of the Joint Higher Committee, as its last session was held in 2014.

The statement reported that the Algerian ambassador reflected his country's desire to advance relations with Egypt in various areas.

Shbeira stressed that both leaders aim to push the relations forward, which will be reflected in the development efforts, indicating that Algeria also wants to resume the meetings of the Joint Higher Committee.

Earlier this week, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi received a written letter from his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune, delivered by the Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra.

Tebboune underlined Algeria's pride in its close and distinguished relations with Egypt at the official and popular levels.

In his letter, the President also stressed his county's interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation with Egypt in various fields.

Tebboune said he looks forward to further enhancing coordination and consultation with Sisi during the coming period to counter the various challenges facing the region and the Arab nation and reinforce joint Arab action.

The meeting tackled ways to foster closer bilateral relations, emphasizing the importance of holding the next session of the Joint Higher Committee at the level of the two countries prime ministers during the current year.

It also highlighted the importance of holding the next session of the political consultation mechanism at the level of the two foreign ministers.



Palestinians in Gaza Hope for a Ceasefire as They Endure War's Harsh Conditions

07 January 2025, Palestinian Territories, Deir al Balah: A Palestinian woman bakes bread inside a tent at a make-shift camp for the internally displaced in Deir al Balah in the central Gaza Strip. Photo: Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
07 January 2025, Palestinian Territories, Deir al Balah: A Palestinian woman bakes bread inside a tent at a make-shift camp for the internally displaced in Deir al Balah in the central Gaza Strip. Photo: Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
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Palestinians in Gaza Hope for a Ceasefire as They Endure War's Harsh Conditions

07 January 2025, Palestinian Territories, Deir al Balah: A Palestinian woman bakes bread inside a tent at a make-shift camp for the internally displaced in Deir al Balah in the central Gaza Strip. Photo: Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
07 January 2025, Palestinian Territories, Deir al Balah: A Palestinian woman bakes bread inside a tent at a make-shift camp for the internally displaced in Deir al Balah in the central Gaza Strip. Photo: Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip still have hope that Israel’s 15-month war with Hamas will end soon, as both sides appear to be inching toward a ceasefire deal.
“What we are living is not a life. Nobody could bear the situation we’re experiencing for a single day,” said Munawar al-Bik, a displaced woman from Gaza City.
“We wake up at night to the sounds of men crying, because of the bad situation,” al-Bik said. “The situation is unbearable, we have no energy left, we want it to end today.”
She spoke to The Associated Press on a dusty road in the southern city of Khan Younis beside the rubble of a destroyed building. Behind her, a sea of makeshift tents filled with displaced families stretched into the distance.
Muhammad Zaqout, a displaced man from Gaza City, said he’s sick of children being killed daily, of the destruction and displacement.
In recent months, families who fled their homes in Gaza have had little access to clean water or enough food to eat, and they struggle to cope with harsh winter conditions that have killed several babies from hypothermia in recent weeks.
Issam Saqr, displaced from Khan Younis, said he hopes the ceasefire “will happen today — before tomorrow!”