Egypt’s Sisi, Jordan’s King Abdullah Discuss Regional Developments in Cairo

A handout picture released by the Jordanian Royal Palace shows Egyptian President Abdel Fattahael-Sisi (R) meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah II at al-Ittihadiya Presidential Palace in Cairo, on December 3, 2022. (Jordanian Royal Palace / AFP)
A handout picture released by the Jordanian Royal Palace shows Egyptian President Abdel Fattahael-Sisi (R) meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah II at al-Ittihadiya Presidential Palace in Cairo, on December 3, 2022. (Jordanian Royal Palace / AFP)
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Egypt’s Sisi, Jordan’s King Abdullah Discuss Regional Developments in Cairo

A handout picture released by the Jordanian Royal Palace shows Egyptian President Abdel Fattahael-Sisi (R) meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah II at al-Ittihadiya Presidential Palace in Cairo, on December 3, 2022. (Jordanian Royal Palace / AFP)
A handout picture released by the Jordanian Royal Palace shows Egyptian President Abdel Fattahael-Sisi (R) meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah II at al-Ittihadiya Presidential Palace in Cairo, on December 3, 2022. (Jordanian Royal Palace / AFP)

Egypt and Jordan agreed on Saturday to boost efforts towards reviving the peace process and reach a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.   

Following a meeting in Cairo, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordanian King Abdullah II announced their full support to Palestine.   

Their meeting focused on the latest developments in the region, notably in the Palestinian Territories, said Egyptian presidency spokesman Bassam Rady.  

He said the leaders agreed on the need to boost their countries’ efforts to provide full support to the Palestinian people and to revive the peace process to reach a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. 

This solution will ensure the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people in line with international resolutions, stressed Rady.  

Sisi and King Abdullah also discussed several issues of common interest. 

They underscored the importance of consolidated and concerted Arab efforts to confront current crises in some regional countries while respecting their unity and sovereignty and ending the suffering of their people. 

King Abdullah was accorded a formal reception at the Al-Ittihadiya Palace where he met with Sisi. 

Sisi said he was keen on further boosting ties with Jordan to achieve mutual interests.  

For his part, King Abdullah underscored his country’s keenness on benefiting from Egypt’s development efforts in all fields by sharing expertise and through joint investments, Rady said. 

The monarch later traveled to Algeria on a two-day state visit at the invitation of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.  

Tebboune and King Abdullah had met in the Qatari capital, Doha, on the sidelines of the opening of the 2022 FIFA World Cup last month. 



Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.