Syria must not become a hub for terrorist groups: Egypt FM at Riyadh meeting

Ahram Online , Sunday 12 Jan 2025

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty called on regional and international parties to prevent Syria from becoming a hub for terrorist groups that would pose a threat and provocation to any country in the region.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty speaks at the Arab ministerial meeting in the Saudi capital
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty speaks at the Arab ministerial meeting in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. Photo: AFP

 

According to a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Abdelatty's remarks came during the Arab ministerial meeting in Riyadh, where officials convened to support Syria.

In his address, he stressed the need for regional and international cooperation to ensure that "Syria does not become a source of regional instability or a haven for terrorist groups."

He also called for establishing a Syrian-owned, inclusive political process that involves all societal segments, accounts for religious, sectarian, and ethnic diversity, and allows various political forces to manage the transitional phase according to UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

Furthermore, Abdelatty affirmed the necessity of preserving Syria's unity, stability, security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity while supporting its national institutions in serving the Syrian people.

He affirmed Egypt's solidarity with the Syrian people and support for their legitimate aspirations, and urged all Syrian parties to prioritise national interests so that the country can resume its role in the region and the world.

During his speech, Abdelatty denounced Israel's incursion into the buffer zone between Israel and Syria in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and its occupation of further Syrian territories.

He stressed Cairo's complete rejection of Israel's violation of international law and breach of the 1974 disengagement agreement

In addition, Abdelatty condemned Israel's systematic airstrikes on Syria's military infrastructure and military capabilities and called for Israel's withdrawal from the Syrian territories and adherence to the 1974 agreement. 

The Riyadh meetings included two sessions: the first convened Arab officials, while the second included representatives from Turkey, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a later statement that following the meeting, Abdelatty held separate talks with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, and Turkey, in which he addressed key Middle Eastern crises, including Israeli aggression in Gaza and challenges in Yemen, Sudan, Libya, Lebanon, and Somalia.

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