Egypt, Pakistan Seek to Boost Relations

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received in Cairo Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir last month (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received in Cairo Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir last month (Egyptian Presidency)
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Egypt, Pakistan Seek to Boost Relations

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received in Cairo Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir last month (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received in Cairo Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir last month (Egyptian Presidency)

Egypt and Pakistan on Saturday discussed on Saturday ways of advancing and strengthening bilateral relations in political and economic fields, with a view to serving the interests of peoples of both countries.

During a phone call, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar praised the remarkable progress in bilateral relations and affirmed commitment to continuing efforts to boost cooperation in various fields, in light of the historical ties and common interests shared by the two nations.

They discussed developments in the Middle East, particularly the latest situation in Gaza, according to Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tamim Khalaf.

Abdelatty underscored the importance of full implementation of the first phase of the Sharm El-Sheikh Agreement.

He stressed that both parties to the conflict must honor all their commitments in order to proceed to the second phase.

The Egyptian PM highlighted the importance of the effective implementation of the plan announced by US President Donald Trump.

A Foreign Ministry statement noted that the two sides discussed the ongoing consultations on the draft UN Security Council resolution regarding developments in Gaza as well as relevant security arrangements.

Abdelatty and Dar stressed the importance of ensuring that the resolution contributes to solidifying the end of the war and creating conditions conducive to achieving a just and comprehensive peace that fulfills the aspirations of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state.

Late last month, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received in Cairo Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir and emphasized Egypt’s keenness to continue strengthening and advancing bilateral cooperation in various fields.

This cooperation aims to achieve the common aspirations of the Egyptian and Pakistani peoples and contribute to boosting efforts for development and prosperity in both countries, the President had said.

The meeting also covered ways to enhance regional security and peace, both in the Middle East and South Asia.

There was a strong emphasis on intensifying consultation between the two countries to avoid escalation and address common challenges. The meeting also included exploring avenues for cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism and extremism.

In July, El-Sisi met with Pakistan's Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Lt. Gen. Sahir Shamshad Mirza and discussed ways of promoting bilateral cooperation, especially in military and security fields, alongside exchanging expertise in combating terrorism and extremism.

During his meeting with Dar on Saturday, Abdelatty highlighted Egypt’s efforts to host the international conference on early recovery, reconstruction, and development in Gaza, in cooperation with international partners.

He invited his Pakistani counterpart to participate actively in the upcoming event.

Earlier, Abdelatty had emphasized the urgent need to initiate early recovery and reconstruction plans in Gaza as soon as possible.

He said this should be done within a comprehensive vision that protects the rights of the Palestinians, in accordance with both the Arab-Islamic plan for early recovery and reconstruction and US President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan.

Last month, Egypt and Pakistan said they are strengthening their military cooperation as Egypt’s Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Minister of Defense and Military Production, Gen. Abdel Mageed Saqr, met with Gen. Munir in Cairo.

Saqr had expressed his “appreciation for the close ties between the armed forces of both countries,” emphasizing “the importance of bolstering efforts to achieve security and stability amid the rapid changes on the regional and international scenes.”



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.