Egypt, Jordan Boost Cooperation to Deepen Strategic Ties

Part of the Egyptian-Jordanian consultation session in Cairo on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Part of the Egyptian-Jordanian consultation session in Cairo on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Egypt, Jordan Boost Cooperation to Deepen Strategic Ties

Part of the Egyptian-Jordanian consultation session in Cairo on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Part of the Egyptian-Jordanian consultation session in Cairo on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Egypt and Jordan held an expanded consultation session in Cairo on Tuesday, co-chaired by Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi.

Both sides agreed during the meeting to bolster cooperation in the field of development.

Discussions tackled various issues of common interest at the economic and investment levels, in light of the aggravating international and regional challenges impacting regional security and stability.

They also touched on ways to promote future relations and bolster trade exchange and transportation, in line with the directives of the two countries’ leaderships to advance various frameworks and mechanisms of bilateral cooperation in all fields.

From the Egyptian side, the session was attended by Finance Minister Mohamed Maait, Transport Minister Kamel al-Wazir, Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea. On the Jordanian side, Finance Minister Mohamad al-Ississ, Trade and Supply Minister Yousef al-Shamali, in addition to senior officials from both countries.

According to an Egyptian Foreign Ministry statement, both sides agreed to remove restrictions that limit the flow of trade between the two countries.

They further decided to form a joint working group from the relevant ministries to facilitate procedures and address any future challenges, as well as identify two points of contact for this goal in the embassies of the two countries.

The ministers also tackled Egyptian-Jordanian bilateral projects in many sectors to follow up their implementation process and maximize their common interests.



Lebanon to Increase Army Personnel Ahead of Possible Deployment South of Litani

Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
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Lebanon to Increase Army Personnel Ahead of Possible Deployment South of Litani

Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)

The Lebanese government has approved funding to recruit 1,500 new military personnel in the Lebanese Army as part of an initiative to increase military presence along the southern border, amid Israel’s ongoing hostilities.
The funds will be provided to the Ministry of Defense as an advance, a decision highlighted by the Minister of Information for its political and international significance, particularly in relation to implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati in the caretaker government emphasized that continued and escalating Israeli attacks on Lebanon amount to crimes against humanity. He stated that a primary pathway to a resolution involves halting hostilities against the country, fully implementing Resolution 1701, and electing a new president to restore institutional order, stability, and initiate reconstruction.

Mikati condemned what he described as an international failure to stop Israel’s actions against Lebanon, which include attacks on towns and villages, civilian deaths, and strikes against medical and relief personnel.
“We condemn and hold the international community responsible for the continuation of Israel’s genocidal war on Lebanon, its destruction of towns and villages, killing of civilians, assassination of army personnel, and targeting of medical teams, civil defense, relief teams, and journalists.
“Additionally, the attacks on UNIFIL, which represents international legitimacy, make targeting UNIFIL an assault on the international community and the Security Council. This destruction continues to affect hospitals, schools, and educational centers,” stated Mikati.
On the international front, Mikati highlighted the solidarity shown by world figures, referring to his discussions with leaders like Jordan’s King Abdullah, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, and Britain’s Prime Minister. This was further demonstrated during the Paris Conference in Support of Lebanon -late on October- he underlined, specifically thanking France for its humanitarian efforts and military support.
But he added: “But unfortunately, Israel is blatantly disregarding all international efforts to achieve a ceasefire.”
The prime minister reiterated Lebanon’s stance on safeguarding its dignity and sovereignty across air, sea, and land, pledging to confront any Israeli violations.
Following the cabinet meeting, Minister of Information Ziad Makari assured that funds to recruit 1,500 additional soldiers are available and that the government encountered no issues regarding this allocation.
Nasser Yassin, the government’s Emergency Committee coordinator, announced that the cabinet approved fuel allocations for 541 shelters in mountainous regions over 300 meters in altitude to ensure winter heating. Yassin also detailed efforts concerning the people displaced as the result of the Israeli hostilities in Lebanon.
He highlighted that there are 44,000 families in 1,138 shelters and an additional 147,000 families housed within communities.