Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a high-level phone call on Friday with António Guterres to discuss rapidly evolving developments across the Middle East, as regional tensions continue to rise and threaten broader stability.
According to Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, the conversation focused on Cairo’s ongoing efforts to de-escalate conflicts in the region, alongside a wider exchange of assessments on several critical regional files. Guterres asked that his greetings and appreciation be conveyed to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, commending Egypt’s sustained role in promoting security and stability amid increasingly complex geopolitical crises.
The UN chief praised Egypt’s adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter and its continued diplomatic engagement aimed at reinforcing international peace and security. He also expressed particular appreciation for Egypt’s mediation efforts, undertaken in coordination with regional actors including Turkey and Pakistan, to support direct negotiations between the United States and Iran. The United Nations, he emphasized, fully supports these initiatives as part of a broader push to reduce tensions.
The discussion comes at a time of heightened military escalation across multiple fronts in the Middle East, raising concerns over its far-reaching economic and humanitarian consequences. Both sides warned of the potential impact on global supply chains, particularly in relation to food security and the availability of agricultural inputs such as fertilizers. Disruptions to maritime navigation and rising energy prices were also highlighted as key risks that could further strain already fragile economies.
In a notable development, Abdelatty welcomed the appointment of Jean Arnault as the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the Middle East, expressing Egypt’s readiness to coordinate closely with him in pursuit of de-escalation efforts.
On the Palestinian issue, Egypt outlined its ongoing diplomatic and operational role in advancing the next phase of a proposed framework put forward by the United States. This includes plans for the deployment of an international stabilization force, the activation of a Gaza administrative committee, and steps toward restoring governance by the Palestinian Authority. Egyptian efforts also extend to training Palestinian police forces and facilitating the reopening and operation of the Rafah Crossing, a critical gateway for humanitarian aid and movement.
Abdelatty stressed the urgency of intensifying international efforts to protect Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, citing continued attacks by Israeli settlers against individuals and property. He described such actions as clear violations of international law and warned that they undermine prospects for a sustainable peace.
The conversation also addressed the situation in Lebanon, where tensions have escalated along its southern border. Abdelatty briefed Guterres on the outcome of his recent visit to Beirut on March 26, reiterating Egypt’s firm rejection of any violations of Lebanese sovereignty or targeting of civilian infrastructure. He called for an immediate halt to hostilities and emphasized the importance of fully implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which aims to maintain stability along the Lebanon-Israel border.
Egypt also underscored the need to strengthen Lebanese state institutions, support efforts to consolidate control over weapons, and ensure the government’s authority is extended across all its territory.
The exchange between Cairo and the United Nations reflects growing international concern that without intensified diplomatic engagement, the region risks sliding into a wider confrontation with global repercussions.
