Egypt FM Reiterates Support for Morocco’s Territorial Integrity

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, Egypt July 27, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, Egypt July 27, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
TT
20

Egypt FM Reiterates Support for Morocco’s Territorial Integrity

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, Egypt July 27, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, Egypt July 27, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has reiterated his country’s firm support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and serious efforts to resolve the Western Sahara region’s dispute.

Shoukry and his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita held talks via videoconference on Thursday, during which they discussed bilateral relations and developments in regional issues of common interest.

Both ministers stressed the importance of bolstering the economic and investment relations to serve their people’s interests.

They pointed to the two countries’ ability to improve cooperation in various fields, given their strategic location, economic capabilities and human competencies.

They further expressed hope the health conditions in light of the coronavirus pandemic would improve to set a date for the fourth round of the Coordination and Political Consultation Mechanism in Cairo, as soon as possible.

This mechanism is institutional and enables the two countries to exchange visions and enhance coordination on various regional issues.

The FMs also agreed that the situation in the Arab world requires intensifying bilateral consultation and coordination, stressing the reinforcement of solidarity to address the complex challenges faced by the region’s states.

Bourita and Shoukry also stressed their countries’ adherence to the security and stability of the Arab region, their rejection of foreign interventions in its affairs and the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

Talks also tackled the Palestinian cause, and Shoukry hailed the efforts of King Mohammed VI, Chairman of al-Quds Committee, in defending the Holy City as a land for coexistence among divine religions.

In addition, they discussed the situation in Libya and stressed the importance of reaching a comprehensive settlement that ensures the country’s security, stability and the prosperity of its people.



Hezbollah Says Refuses to Disarm Until Israel Withdraws from South Lebanon

Hezbollah supporters listen to a televised speech by the movemen't leader Naim Qassem in Beirut's southern suburbs on July 6, 2025. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)
Hezbollah supporters listen to a televised speech by the movemen't leader Naim Qassem in Beirut's southern suburbs on July 6, 2025. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)
TT
20

Hezbollah Says Refuses to Disarm Until Israel Withdraws from South Lebanon

Hezbollah supporters listen to a televised speech by the movemen't leader Naim Qassem in Beirut's southern suburbs on July 6, 2025. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)
Hezbollah supporters listen to a televised speech by the movemen't leader Naim Qassem in Beirut's southern suburbs on July 6, 2025. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem reiterated Sunday the group’s refusal to lay down its weapons before Israel withdraws from all of southern Lebanon and stops its airstrikes.

Qassem spoke in a video address as thousands gathered in Beirut’s southern suburbs to mark Ashoura.

Since the ceasefire with Hezbollah in November, Israel has continued to occupy five strategic border points in southern Lebanon and to carry out near-daily airstrikes.

“How can you expect us not to stand firm while the Israeli enemy continues its aggression, continues to occupy the five points, and continues to enter our territories and kill?” Qassem said in his video address. “We will not be part of legitimizing the occupation in Lebanon and the region. We will not accept normalization (with Israel).”

In response to those who ask why the group needs its missile arsenal, Qassem said: “How can we confront Israel when it attacks us if we didn’t have them? Who is preventing Israel from entering villages and landing and killing young people, women and children inside their homes unless there is a resistance with certain capabilities capable of minimal defense?”

His comments come ahead of an expected visit by US envoy Tom Barrack to Beirut to discuss a proposed plan for Hezbollah’s disarmament and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the rest of southern Lebanon.