Egypt, Qatar Seek Further Rapprochement

Qatar's ambassador to Cairo, Salem Mubarak al-Shafi, with Egyptian Minister of Trade Nevine Gamea (the Egyptian government)
Qatar's ambassador to Cairo, Salem Mubarak al-Shafi, with Egyptian Minister of Trade Nevine Gamea (the Egyptian government)
TT

Egypt, Qatar Seek Further Rapprochement

Qatar's ambassador to Cairo, Salem Mubarak al-Shafi, with Egyptian Minister of Trade Nevine Gamea (the Egyptian government)
Qatar's ambassador to Cairo, Salem Mubarak al-Shafi, with Egyptian Minister of Trade Nevine Gamea (the Egyptian government)

Egypt and Qatar are intensifying their efforts to further develop their relations at the political and economic levels, within the framework of restoring bilateral ties.

Qatar's ambassador to Cairo Salem Mubarak al-Shafi discussed with Egypt's Minister of Trade Nevine Gamea boosting bilateral relations.

Shafi addressed the common desire of both countries to start a new phase of bilateral cooperation in various fields and at multiple levels.

Last January, Saudi Arabia witnessed the signing of the AlUla Agreement between Riyadh, Cairo, Manama, and Abu Dhabi, resorting ties with Doha after nearly four years of severed relations.

The meeting reviewed several economic issues of common interest.

The Egyptian minister said that the current period is witnessing intensive efforts to achieve further rapprochement at the political and economic levels.

Gamea urged the translation of agreements between the two countries political leadership into concrete projects that serve the two peoples' interests.

She also called for building on the "solid" ground laid by President Abdulfattah el-Sisi and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad during their meeting last August to enhance trade exchange rates and develop joint investments.

Gamea underscored the significance of establishing new frameworks for cooperation between Cairo and Doha in the commercial, investment, and industrial fields.

A statement issued by the ministry said that she called for forming an Egyptian-Qatari trade committee to follow up on all bilateral cooperation projects during the coming phase.

The minister stressed the importance of activating joint work between the two countries at the ministerial level to push the bilateral relations between Egypt and Qatar to "unprecedented levels."

Gamea extended through the Qatari ambassador an invitation to Qatar's Trade and Industry Minister Mohammad bin Hamad to visit Cairo "to discuss files and themes of joint work between the two countries during the next stage."

Several ministers and ambassadors from both countries met over the past few days to discuss relations and mechanisms for enhancing them.

Qatari ambassador stressed that both countries share a common desire to start a new phase of bilateral cooperation in various fields, saying, "Egypt represents a strategic depth for the regional countries."

Shafi also called for boosting the rates of intra-regional trade and joint investments between Egypt and Qatar "to reflect the great potentials of both countries and to translate the distinguished relations that bind the two brotherly peoples," the statement added.

"There is a consensus between the Egyptian and Qatari governments on a substantial number of cooperation files," the Qatari ambassador stressed.

He also hailed the recent economic reforms and urban development in Egypt.

He highlighted that Qatar has investments in the Egyptian market, especially in the financial and real estate sectors.



Lebanon, Israel Ceasefire Deal Will Take Place in Three Phases and ‘Simultaneous’ Withdrawals

 Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP)
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP)
TT

Lebanon, Israel Ceasefire Deal Will Take Place in Three Phases and ‘Simultaneous’ Withdrawals

 Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP)
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP)

Informed sources revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that US-President elect Donald Trump agreed on the steps that President Joe Biden’s administration will take to ensure the success of the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

Israel approved the ceasefire on Tuesday night after Lebanon had already agreed to it.

The sources, which followed up on the negotiations for the 60-day truce, said the steps call for the withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters and their weapons from the South where the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon is deployed. In return, Israeli forces will withdraw from southern Lebanon.

More negotiations through American mediators will take place throughout the process.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Trump “gave his blessing” to the process during his meeting with Biden at the White House two weeks ago.

A committee led by the US will oversee the implementation of the withdrawal. France, Lebanon, Israel and UNIFIL are also part of the committee.

Asharq Al-Awsat learned that Hezbollah’s withdrawal will take place in three 20-day phases. The first withdrawal will take place in the western sector.

It will coincide with an Israeli pullout from areas it occupied in that region. A strengthened Lebanese army force and UNIFIL troops will deploy in their place.

The second phase will cover the central sector and follow the same process.

The residents of the frontline southern villages will not be allowed to return to their homes immediately until they are deemed safe and after ensuring that no Hezbollah members or weapons remain there.

Residents of the so-called second and third line of villages south of the Litani River will be allowed to return to their homes immediately.

The source expected the US to play an “effective role” in the mechanism to oversee the withdrawal. It did not clarify whether any American forces will take part in the process.

It revealed that Britain and other countries will “exert special efforts to verify whether illegitimate weapons are being smuggled to Hezbollah.”

The five-member committee will not replace the tripartite committee already in place and that includes Lebanon, Israel and UNIFIL.