Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has laid out Cairo’s positions on several key regional issues, stressing firm red lines on national security and water resources while calling for political inclusivity and stability across the Middle East. In a wide-ranging interview broadcast Thursday on Egyptian state television, Abdelatty addressed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the situations in Syria and Lebanon, and the Palestinian issue, highlighting what he described as Egypt’s principled and measured approach to a turbulent regional landscape.
Speaking about Egypt’s water security and the dispute over the Nile dam, Abdelatty underscored the sensitivity of the issue, describing it as a core national security concern. He said that amid severe regional instability, any miscalculation could have led to serious consequences, but that Egypt’s leadership had navigated the challenge with what he called wisdom and restraint. Abdelatty emphasized that Egypt’s approach is grounded in strong state institutions, pointing to the armed forces, police, intelligence services, and diplomatic corps as pillars of a coordinated national security strategy operating under direct guidance from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
On Syria, Abdelatty said Egypt seeks stability and lasting peace for the country, stressing that Cairo does not interfere in Syrian internal affairs but believes it has a responsibility to offer advice based on its own experience. He urged Syrian stakeholders to engage constructively with all components of society, including Kurds, Druze, Alawites, and other communities. Abdelatty highlighted what he described as “Egyptian values,” particularly the principle of citizenship and equal rights, as a model that could help foster cohesion and long-term stability in Syria after years of conflict.
Turning to Lebanon, the foreign minister reaffirmed Egypt’s strong interest in the country’s stability, saying President Sisi has issued clear instructions to support Lebanon’s security and sovereignty. Abdelatty said the presence of a president and a functioning government represents a rare opportunity for Lebanon to restore state authority, reinforce national institutions, and move away from prolonged political paralysis and insecurity.
On the Palestinian issue, Abdelatty credited Egypt’s leadership with preventing what he described as attempts to marginalize or dismantle the Palestinian cause. He reiterated Cairo’s firm rejection of any plans involving the forced displacement of Palestinians, particularly through Egypt’s Rafah crossing with Gaza. According to the minister, Egypt views Rafah as a humanitarian lifeline for aid delivery and the evacuation of severe medical cases, with the understanding that patients return to Gaza after treatment. He stressed that Egypt would not be complicit in what he termed a historic injustice against the Palestinian people.
Abdelatty’s remarks reflect Egypt’s broader diplomatic posture, which combines firm positions on issues deemed vital to national security with calls for dialogue, inclusivity, and political solutions across the region. At a time of shifting alliances and ongoing conflicts, Cairo is seeking to present itself as a stabilizing actor, drawing on state institutions, regional engagement, and what officials describe as a legacy of moderation and responsibility in foreign policy.
