Bin Mubarak Affirms Yemeni Support for Egypt’s Water Security

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received Thursday his Yemeni counterpart Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak in Cairo (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received Thursday his Yemeni counterpart Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak in Cairo (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
TT

Bin Mubarak Affirms Yemeni Support for Egypt’s Water Security

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received Thursday his Yemeni counterpart Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak in Cairo (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received Thursday his Yemeni counterpart Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak in Cairo (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received on Thursday his Yemeni counterpart Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak and discussed a number of bilateral and regional files.

The Yemeni minister's visit to Cairo came days after Bin Mubarak had visited Ethiopia, from where he delivered statements that drove controversy between Egypt and Yemen.

In Addis Ababa last month, the Yemeni Minister affirmed “the solidarity of Yemen and its support for all the steps taken by the Ethiopian government in order to move the wheel of development.”

His statements may have led to the imposition of new restrictions for the entry of Yemenis to Egypt, including obtaining visas in advance and reducing the length of stay.

During his meeting with Shoukry on Thursday, the Yemeni Minister stressed his country’s full support for Egypt in the face of challenges, topped by the water security issue, which is part of the Arab national security.

Bin Mubarak also commended Egypt's firm supportive stance towards Yemen's legitimate government and its endeavors to reach a political settlement that restores security and stability to the country and alleviates the acute humanitarian crises.

The Yemeni top diplomat also conveyed a message, from President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Rashad Al-Alimi to President Abdel Fattah Sisi, on ways of advancing bilateral relations in different fields, said Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Ahmed Abu Zeid.

The spokesman stated that Shoukry voiced appreciation for Yemen's keenness to coordinate with Cairo and keep it informed of the latest developments on the crisis there.

He then emphasized Egypt's backing of the legitimate Yemeni government and the endeavors to extend the UN truce in Yemen, as well as Cairo's encouragement for all efforts aimed at finding a comprehensive and sustainable political solution that is agreed upon by various Yemeni parties.

The two foreign ministers also discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations, including the convening of the joint committee between the two countries and upgrading the level of bilateral relations through the political consultation mechanism at the level of the Egyptian and Yemeni ministries of foreign affairs.

Shoukry then affirmed the care and good hospitality enjoyed by the Yemeni community in Egypt, their second country. He added that Egyptian citizens are receiving the same treatment in many service sectors such as education and health as part of the historical ties and firm bonds that bind the two brotherly countries and peoples.

Caption: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received Thursday his Yemeni counterpart Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak in Cairo (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
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US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.