Saudi Crown Prince, Egypt's Sisi Hold Official Talks in Cairo

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Sisi hold talks in Cairo. (SPA)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Sisi hold talks in Cairo. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, Egypt's Sisi Hold Official Talks in Cairo

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Sisi hold talks in Cairo. (SPA)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Sisi hold talks in Cairo. (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held official talks in Cairo on Tuesday.

They discussed the strategic bilateral relations that bind their countries and ways to develop them in various fields.

They covered a number of Middle East developments and issues related to regional security and stability, as well as counter-terrorism efforts.

A statement from the Egyptian presidency said talks focused on bilateral relations and efforts to bolster economic and investment ties.

They tackled the inauguration of more joint projects given the promising investment opportunities boasted by their countries.

They also underscored the importance of the upcoming Gulf Cooperation Council summit that will be hosted by Saudi Arabia in July and attended by the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and the United States.

A joint statement after their talks said the leaders focused on bolstering their economic and investment relations and elevating them to new levels.

They stressed support to the nationwide Yemen truce, condemning attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militias against civilians and their threat to international marine routes.

They also expressed their backing to the new Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council and efforts to reach a political solution to the crisis.

They urged the need to reach a comprehensive settlement to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict by implementing the two-state solution.

They stressed support for the formation of a new Iraqi government that can achieve the nation’s stability and security and efforts to ensure the success of the transitional process in Sudan.

They called on Iran to commit to international resolutions and principles and refrain from meddling in the affairs of Arab countries.

Iran must cease all destabilizing activities in the region and support to armed militias and threats to marine navigation, they demanded, according to the statement.

Crown Prince Mohammed had arrived in Cairo on Monday, the first stop of a tour of region that will take him to Jordan and Turkey.



Qatar Pledges Aid for Gaza as More Trucks Cross into the Territory

 This picture taken from the Israeli side of the border with the Gaza Strip shows an afternoon view of destroyed buildings in Gaza, on January 20, 2025, following a ceasefire deal a day earlier between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas group. (AFP)
This picture taken from the Israeli side of the border with the Gaza Strip shows an afternoon view of destroyed buildings in Gaza, on January 20, 2025, following a ceasefire deal a day earlier between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas group. (AFP)
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Qatar Pledges Aid for Gaza as More Trucks Cross into the Territory

 This picture taken from the Israeli side of the border with the Gaza Strip shows an afternoon view of destroyed buildings in Gaza, on January 20, 2025, following a ceasefire deal a day earlier between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas group. (AFP)
This picture taken from the Israeli side of the border with the Gaza Strip shows an afternoon view of destroyed buildings in Gaza, on January 20, 2025, following a ceasefire deal a day earlier between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas group. (AFP)

Qatar on Monday announced plans to supply post-ceasefire Gaza with resources via a “land bridge” at Kerem Shalom, on the border between Egypt, Israel and the coastal Palestinian enclave.

After sending 25 fuel trucks to Gaza on Monday, Qatar plans to supply Gaza with 3.3 million gallons (12.5 million liters) of fuel over the next 10 days, its Foreign Ministry said. The fuel is intended to provide basic services and power hospitals and shelters.

Over the course of the 16-month war, the majority of aid has crossed into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing, although it has intermittently closed amid disagreements over what kind of aid can be allowed into the strip. Israel previously restricted entry of some equipment, arguing it could be used for military purposes by Hamas.

Allowing more aid into Gaza is a central tenet of the ceasefire deal’s first phase and will be key to later reconstruction efforts. The deal allows for hundreds of trucks — more than Israel has previously allowed — to deliver aid to Gaza.

Egypt’s state-run press center said Monday that at least 300 aid trucks entered Kerem Shalom and the Nitzana crossing to the south since the ceasefire took effect, as well as 12 diesel trucks and four gas trucks.

However, some of those trucks have carried food aid labeled for UNRWA, the UN agency that Israel has vowed to ban from operating even as it remains the primary distributor of aid in Gaza.

Truck drivers told The Associated Press that throughout the war, vehicles have been turned back for minor bureaucratic infractions or not having aid properly packaged or wrapped.

“If items are approved, we unload them and head back to Egypt ... Some trucks have to drive all the way back with packages they left with that contain expired food aid or that the driver’s or truck information is not listed correctly,” driver Hamdy Emad said.