Egypt, Tajikistan Agree to Boost Cooperation, Combat Terrorism

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon (Egyptian Presidency)
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Egypt, Tajikistan Agree to Boost Cooperation, Combat Terrorism

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon (Egyptian Presidency)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon agreed to enhance security cooperation, especially in fighting terrorism.

This came during their meeting at the al-Ittihadiya Palace on Thursday.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed cooperation in training and technical support programs that Egypt provides to Tajik cadres.

Sisi stressed Egypt's interest in developing bilateral relations and exchanging experience with Tajikistan in various fields to achieve the common interest of both countries, and the Tajik President expressed his appreciation for the warm reception and hospitality.

He stressed his country's pride in the distinguished bilateral relations with Egypt and Tajikistan's interest in benefiting from the mega-national projects and the pioneering development experience that Egypt is witnessing, which enhances its position as a pillar of security and stability at the regional level.

Egyptian Presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said the presidents discussed recent regional and international developments, especially in Ukraine and Afghanistan.

They addressed ways to enhance cooperation and coordination in security and intelligence and the exchange of information and expertise, especially concerning combating terrorism, extremist ideology, and organized crime.

After the talks, the Tajik President invited Sisi to visit his country, which the latter welcomed.

The two presidents witnessed the signing ceremony of several memoranda of understanding (MoU) and cooperation agreements between the two countries in agriculture, youth and sports, and higher education.

The Governorate of South Sinai and the Khatlon region in Tajikistan signed an agreement of friendship and cooperation, and the National Library and Archives and the National Library of Tajikistan signed an MoU.

During a joint press conference, Sisi announced that he agreed with Rahmon to step up coordination in security and concerning sharing information and expertise between the two countries to combat terrorism and organized crime as a global menace that threatens most world countries.

"We have also agreed to examine the possibility of enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the fields of irrigation development and concerning making greater use of water resources, hydropower, mining, agriculture, tourism, health, and pharmaceutical manufacturing," said the President.

Sisi expressed his appreciation for the commitment of the Tajik President to cultivate closer bilateral cooperation between the two countries across an array of fields.

"I would also like to confirm that we value the profound relations between Egypt and Tajikistan, which have been growing over the past years, and underscore the importance of working toward activating the ongoing frameworks of cooperation to be commensurate with the two countries' capabilities and potential, to achieve the interests of the two peoples."

The Egyptian leader announced that they discussed ways to promote consultation between the two countries' foreign ministries and agreed to follow up on implementing the positive results of the second session of the Joint Committee on Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation, which was held in Cairo in November 2019.

They also discussed Egypt's hosting and presidency of the 27th session of the UN Climate Change Conference in November 2022 (UNFCCC COP 27).

"We stressed our keenness to mobilize the efforts of the international community to make it a success to make a real breakthrough in global climate action," said Sisi.

The Tajik President said the agreements signed would provide a basis for boosting relations between the two countries in all fields.

He indicated that the meeting addressed important issues of bilateral and multilateral relations between Egypt and Tajikistan.



Rescue Teams Search for Survivors in Building Collapse that Killed at Least 2 in Northern Lebanon

A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
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Rescue Teams Search for Survivors in Building Collapse that Killed at Least 2 in Northern Lebanon

A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

At least two people were killed and four rescued from the rubble of a multistory apartment building that collapsed Sunday in the city of Tripoli in northern Lebanon, state media reported.

Rescue teams were continuing to dig through the rubble. It was not immediately clear how many people were in the building when it fell.

The bodies pulled out were of a child and a woman, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Dozens of people crowded around the site of the crater left by the collapsed building, with some shooting in the air.

The building was in the neighborhood of Bab Tabbaneh, one of the poorest areas in Lebanon’s second largest city, where residents have long complained of government neglect and shoddy infrastructure. Building collapses are not uncommon in Tripoli due to poor building standards, according to The AP news.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry announced that those injured in the collapse would receive treatment at the state’s expense.

The national syndicate for property owners in a statement called the collapse the result of “blatant negligence and shortcomings of the Lebanese state toward the safety of citizens and their housing security,” and said it is “not an isolated incident.”

The syndicate called for the government to launch a comprehensive national survey of buildings at risk of collapse.


Israel to Take More West Bank Powers and Relax Settler Land Buys

A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
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Israel to Take More West Bank Powers and Relax Settler Land Buys

A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)

Israel's security cabinet approved a series of steps on Sunday that would make it easier for settlers in the occupied West Bank to buy land while granting Israeli authorities more enforcement powers over Palestinians, Israeli media reported.

The West Bank is among the territories that the Palestinians seek for a future independent state. Much of it is under Israeli military control, with limited Palestinian self-rule in some areas run by the Western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA).

Citing statements by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz, Israeli news sites Ynet and Haaretz said the measures included scrapping decades-old regulations that prevent Jewish private citizens buying land in the West Bank, The AP news reported.

They were also reported to include allowing Israeli authorities to administer some religious sites, and expand supervision and enforcement in areas under PA administration in matters of environmental hazards, water offences and damage to archaeological sites.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the new measures were dangerous, illegal and tantamount to de-facto annexation.

The Israeli ministers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The new measures come three days before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet in Washington with US President Donald Trump.

Trump has ruled out Israeli annexation of the West Bank but his administration has not sought to curb Israel's accelerated settlement building, which the Palestinians say denies them a potential state by eating away at its territory.

Netanyahu, who is facing an election later this year, deems the establishment of any Palestinian state a security threat.

His ruling coalition includes many pro-settler members who want Israel to annex the West Bank, land captured in the 1967 Middle East war to which Israel cites biblical and historical ties.

The United Nations' highest court said in a non-binding advisory opinion in 2024 that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements there is illegal and should be ended as soon as possible. Israel disputes this view.


Arab League Condemns Attack on Aid Convoys in Sudan

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
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Arab League Condemns Attack on Aid Convoys in Sudan

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit strongly condemned the attack by the Rapid Support Forces on humanitarian aid convoys and relief workers in North Kordofan State, Sudan.

In a statement reported by SPA, secretary-general's spokesperson Jamal Rushdi quoted Aboul Gheit as saying the attack constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law, which prohibits the deliberate targeting of civilians and depriving them of their means of survival.

Aboul Gheit stressed the need to hold those responsible accountable, end impunity, and ensure the full protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and relief facilities in Sudan.