Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Badr Abdelatty, Egypt’s minister of foreign affairs, held talks with Faisal bin Farhan, the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, on Sunday on the sidelines of a four-party ministerial meeting in Islamabad, focusing on regional developments and diplomatic efforts to ease tensions across the Middle East.
The meeting highlighted growing momentum behind initiatives aimed at supporting a direct negotiating track between the United States and Iran, as both sides face mounting international pressure to avoid further escalation. The two ministers emphasized the importance of prioritizing diplomatic solutions to prevent the region from sliding into broader instability.
Discussions also covered ways to deepen bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Saudi Arabia across multiple sectors. Both officials expressed strong appreciation for the depth of strategic ties between the two countries, reaffirming their shared commitment to expanding cooperation in ways that serve mutual national interests.
Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s full support and solidarity with Saudi Arabia and Gulf states, condemning recent attacks targeting regional security and stability. He stressed Cairo’s firm rejection of any attempts to undermine Arab national security or violate the sovereignty of Gulf nations.
On the Palestinian issue, the ministers underscored the need to advance the next phase of a US-backed framework for resolving the conflict, while calling for an immediate halt to Israeli actions in the West Bank. They reaffirmed support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders as a cornerstone for long-term regional stability.
The talks also addressed escalating tensions in Lebanon, with both sides emphasizing the importance of strengthening Lebanese state institutions to preserve national sovereignty, stability, and territorial integrity amid ongoing regional pressures.
