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Egypt, China Agree to Develop Strategic Partnership

A handout photo made available by the Egyptian Presidency shows Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (C) meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang (2-L) in the presence of Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (2-R) in Cairo, Egypt, 15 January 2023. (Egyptian Presidency/EPA)
A handout photo made available by the Egyptian Presidency shows Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (C) meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang (2-L) in the presence of Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (2-R) in Cairo, Egypt, 15 January 2023. (Egyptian Presidency/EPA)
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Egypt, China Agree to Develop Strategic Partnership

A handout photo made available by the Egyptian Presidency shows Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (C) meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang (2-L) in the presence of Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (2-R) in Cairo, Egypt, 15 January 2023. (Egyptian Presidency/EPA)
A handout photo made available by the Egyptian Presidency shows Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (C) meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang (2-L) in the presence of Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (2-R) in Cairo, Egypt, 15 January 2023. (Egyptian Presidency/EPA)

Egypt and China stressed their keenness to develop a comprehensive strategic partnership that brings them together in various fields.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received Sunday Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who is on an African tour that includes five countries.

He emphasized China's unwavering support for Egypt in its efforts toward comprehensive development, combating terrorism, and achieving regional security and stability.

According to the presidential spokesman, Sisi affirmed Egypt's commitment to further strengthening the fruitful cooperation between the two countries within the framework of their comprehensive strategic partnership and considering the extended path of their exemplary cooperation and coordination in various fields.

He reiterated Egypt's firm position concerning restoring the security and stability of conflict-affected countries in the region, strengthening their national institutions, and supporting them in combating terrorism.

For his part, the Chinese foreign minister expressed his country's keenness on advancing its strategic relations with Egypt as a significant priority and consistent approach, according to the spokesman.

Qin underscored Beijing's respect and appreciation for Egypt, hailing its pivotal role as a cornerstone of stability in the Middle East region and the center of gravity of the Arab world and Africa, under Sisi’s wise and balanced leadership.

He emphasized China's unwavering support for Egypt in its efforts toward comprehensive development, combating terrorism, and achieving regional security and stability.

The meeting reviewed prospects for forging closer bilateral cooperation between Cairo and Beijing.

The FM underscored China's keenness on further boosting and supporting development programs and national projects in Egypt.

The officials highlighted the modern infrastructure Egypt enjoys, which is integrated with China's "Belt and Road" initiative.

Later, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held a press conference with his Chinese counterpart following a separate and expanded session of talks.

They discussed activating cooperation at the bilateral political and economic levels and the multilateral level, noting the compatibility in visions and strategic relations between the two countries.

Shoukry added that the growing economic relations between Egypt and China in recent years have contributed to Cairo's development efforts. Moreover, he said the two countries established relations on basic principles of mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs, and achieving common interests.

He added that the talks also touched on all regional and international issues of common concern, including the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the latest developments related to it.

China has always been at the forefront of countries supporting the Palestinian people's legitimate rights, the two-state solution, and the achievement of stability in the region, asserted Shoukry.

The Egyptian FM briefed his counterpart on the latest developments in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) issue and Cairo's efforts to reach a binding legal agreement.

China was willing to contribute to resolve outstanding issues, he revealed.

The officials also addressed the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and its political, regional, and economic impact.

For his part, the Chinese minister said his talks with his Egyptian counterpart were fruitful and touched on all regional and international issues of common concern.

China is keen on boosting its economic cooperation with Egypt and the import of Egyptian products to its markets, said Qin.

China's foreign minister said that the Middle East made development efforts in recent years; however, several countries still witness instability due to turmoil and external interference.

He called on countries outside the Middle East to refrain from interfering in the region and instead provide development support to help countries face the challenges of food insecurity, energy and terrorism.

He stressed that Egypt plays a vital role in maintaining international peace and security, highlighting the identical positions of Egypt and China towards Middle East issues.

On the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, he described it as a "the key cause in the Middle East in terms of peace and stability in the region."

He urged Israel to stop provocations to avoid any unilateral move that would escalate the situation, calling on the relevant parties to abide by relevant UN resolutions related and to preserve the historical status quo of Jerusalem.

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Arab World

Brother Details to Asharq Al-Awsat Luring, Disappearance of Lebanese Retired Officer

Abdul Salam Shukr speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat from Nabi Sheet. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Abdul Salam Shukr speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat from Nabi Sheet. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Brother Details to Asharq Al-Awsat Luring, Disappearance of Lebanese Retired Officer

Abdul Salam Shukr speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat from Nabi Sheet. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Abdul Salam Shukr speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat from Nabi Sheet. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Shock still grips the family of retired Lebanese General Security captain Ahmed Shukr, who was abducted days ago, as Lebanese security and judicial assessments increasingly point to Israeli intelligence as being behind his disappearance, over suspected links to the 1986 vanishing of Israeli airman Ron Arad in southern Lebanon.

His brother, Abdul Salam Shukr, told Asharq Al-Awsat the story began when a Lebanese expatriate living in Kinshasa, identified as A.M., contacted Ahmed and asked to rent his apartment in the Choueifat area, south of Beirut.

The two agreed months ago, and the man paid $500 in rent.

The expatriate made repeated visits to Lebanon and met Shukr at his home during one of them. He later contacted the retired officer to say that a wealthy African investor named Salim Kassab, later found to be a fake name, was interested in purchasing a plot of land in the eastern city of Zahle and needed his assistance.

Abdul Salam said the expatriate inspected the land, then called two weeks after leaving Lebanon to say the investor had agreed to buy it and would visit the country. He asked Ahmed to meet him at the site at 4:30 p.m. on the day of the abduction.

He said the expatriate insisted on the timing because it suited the buyer, despite Ahmed’s objections that darkness would have fallen by then, and the land’s features would not be visible. The expatriate later apologized for not attending, claiming he had broken his foot, and said the investor would visit the site alone with Ahmed.

At the time of the meeting, Ahmed disappeared.

“We know nothing about him except what we have heard through security and judicial leaks,” Abdul Salam said. He added that the abductors had rented a house in Zahle and erased all traces from it after kidnapping Ahmed.

Surveillance cameras tracked the vehicle as it headed toward the town of Souireh in the western Bekaa, where the trail then vanished. Souireh was previously used as a smuggling route from southwestern Damascus into Lebanon.

Loyalty to the state

“My brother served 40 years in the military establishment. His loyalty was only to the state and its institutions. He never belonged to any party,” Abdul Salam said. “We are a family that does not engage in politics.”

Ahmed was lured last week in a carefully planned operation that began in his hometown of Nabi Sheet in the northern Bekaa, before he went missing at a point very close to the city of Zahle.

Family members and residents have been gathering at the home of Nabi Sheet’s mukhtar, Abbas Shukr, to voice their protest and condemnation of the abduction.

The family said Ahmed Shukr retired nine years ago after serving for four decades in the General Security, during which he held several posts, including the Masnaa border crossing with Syria and the Qaa crossing in northeastern Lebanon.

“My brother joined the military in 1979, which means he was an ‘officer of the state’ when Arad disappeared in 1986,” Abdul Salam told Asharq Awsat. “An officer of the state does not belong to parties.”

He rejected attempts to link the family by kinship to Fuad Shukr, a Hezbollah leader killed by Israel in July 2024 in Beirut’s southern suburbs, saying no one in the town even knew him.

“He left the town in the early 1980s and never returned. He was distant even from his relatives,” he said, adding that since retiring, his brother “never left the Bekaa. He stayed at home and played cards with friends at night.”

The family home remains in a state of disbelief, a scene that has persisted since his disappearance last week. The case only began to move officially after Vice President of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council Sheikh Ali al Khatib contacted Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Interior Minister Ahmed al-Hajjar, according to Abdul Salam.

He said Aoun pledged to instruct security and judicial authorities to expand the investigation and uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident. Officials from the Amal Movement were also in constant contact with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who is head of the movement, to follow up on the case.

Mystery remains

“We demand that the judiciary and security agencies confirm or deny the leak about an alleged link to Ron Arad’s disappearance,” Abdul Salam said.

“That leak does not concern us. What matters is what the security agencies say, including General Security, where Ahmed served, and the Information Branch of the Internal Security Forces, which is leading the investigation.”

He said the key to the mystery lies with A.M., a native of the southern town of Qana who lives in Kinshasa and has been evading the family’s calls.

“The Lebanese state must ask Interpol to arrest him and bring him to Lebanon for questioning,” he urged, adding that the man no longer answers his phone and that all available information about him, including video clips, is now in the hands of security agencies.

Abdul Salam said the family believes the expatriate coordinated the plot with Israel’s Mossad, guiding them to this point and enabling an operation carried out with precision and professionalism.

He said Lebanese security agencies told the family the abductors left no fingerprints, neither at the Zahle property nor at the Choueifat apartment, and that no evidence has been found. The kidnappers’ vehicle also remains unidentified.

Arab World

UK, Canada, Germany and Others Condemn Israel’s West Bank Settlement Plan

A Palestinian woman walks past the Israeli settlement of Har Homa, southeast of Jerusalem, on November 21, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian woman walks past the Israeli settlement of Har Homa, southeast of Jerusalem, on November 21, 2025. (AFP)
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UK, Canada, Germany and Others Condemn Israel’s West Bank Settlement Plan

A Palestinian woman walks past the Israeli settlement of Har Homa, southeast of Jerusalem, on November 21, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian woman walks past the Israeli settlement of Har Homa, southeast of Jerusalem, on November 21, 2025. (AFP)

Countries including Britain, Canada and Germany and others on Wednesday condemned the Israeli security cabinet's approval of 19 new settlements in the occupied West ‌Bank, saying ‌they violated ‌international ⁠law and risked ‌fueling instability.

"We call on Israel to reverse this decision, as well as the expansion of ⁠settlements," said a joint ‌statement released ‍by Britain, ‍which also included ‍Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain.

"We recall that such unilateral actions, as ⁠part of a wider intensification of the settlement policies in the West Bank, not only violate international law but also risk fueling instability," the statement ‌added.

Arab World

Syria State Media Says 3 Dead in Clashes in Latakia Province

A large Syrian flag flutters above Tishreen Park in Damascus, June 4, 2025. (AFP)
A large Syrian flag flutters above Tishreen Park in Damascus, June 4, 2025. (AFP)
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Syria State Media Says 3 Dead in Clashes in Latakia Province

A large Syrian flag flutters above Tishreen Park in Damascus, June 4, 2025. (AFP)
A large Syrian flag flutters above Tishreen Park in Damascus, June 4, 2025. (AFP)

Syrian state media said three people were killed Wednesday in clashes with security forces in coastal Latakia province, the heartland of the country's Alawite minority community.

"Three members of remnants of the former regime were killed after clashes with internal security forces" outside the city of Jableh, state television said.

State news agency SANA had earlier reported "clashes with a group of wanted outlaws" in the area, and said an unspecified number of security personnel were wounded.

Since last December's ousting of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, himself an Alawite, Syria's new authorities have frequently reported security operations against remnants of his government.

Syria's coastal areas saw the killing of Alawite civilians in March, with authorities accusing armed Assad supporters of sparking the violence by attacking security forces.

A national commission of inquiry said at least 1,426 members of the minority community were killed at the time.

Last month, thousands of people demonstrated on the Alawite coast in protest of fresh attacks targeting their community.