Egypt's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Osama Abdel Khalek
Abdel Khalek's remarks to Al-Qahera News TV channel came in response to recent remarks by Israel's UN representative, who questioned why Egypt needs to arm itself despite the absence of direct threats.
"Since he granted himself the right to ask, the answer is clear, simple, and direct: strong and major nations like Egypt require strong armies capable of defending their comprehensive national security with adequate and diversified armament," the Egyptian official said.
However, Abdel Khalek reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to peace as a strategic choice, emphasizing that Egypt was the first to lay the foundations of peace in the Middle East.
He stressed that Egypt remains fully capable of defending its national security with a strong national army, a defensive military doctrine, and deterrence capabilities.
Moreover, Abdel Khalek clarified that the Israeli official's recent remarks were made in Hebrew media rather than in formal UN meetings, as such statements would have required an official response.
In response to the Israeli representative’s questioning of Egypt’s military needs, Abdel Khalek countered by questioning why Israel remains the only country in the Middle East with an unregulated nuclear arsenal, completely outside international oversight.
Meanwhile, Abdel Khalek highlighted Egypt’s longstanding commitment to making the Middle East a region free from weapons of mass destruction.
Egypt diplomatic efforts
During the interview, the Egyptian representative highlighted Cairo's diplomatic efforts since the outbreak of the Israeli war on Gaza in October 2023.
Abdel Khalek noted that Egypt has prioritized securing a ceasefire, ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid to Palestinians, and firmly rejecting the forced displacement of Palestinians from their land.
Additionally, he acknowledged the collective efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and the US in securing a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which were widely welcomed.
He further reaffirmed Egypt's rejection of settlement expansion, land annexation, and any form of forced displacement — temporary or long-term — while underscoring the necessity of a two-state solution.
Arab Group’s firm stance
According to Abdel Khalek, Egypt played a crucial role in leading the Arab Group in the UN, presiding over it in December 2023 and again in January 2025.
Under Egypt’s leadership, the group successfully passed four UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, including Resolution 2735, which called for a ceasefire.
Speaking strongly at the UNSC multiple times, Egypt reiterated the Arab Group’s firm stance in support of the Palestinian people's resilience and opposition to any infringement on their inalienable rights.
Abdel Khalek underscored that this unwavering Arab position aligns with the stance of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, who has clearly stated that Egypt cannot condone the oppression of Palestinians or the liquidation of their cause.
As a result, Egypt maintains its firm rejection of any forced displacement of Palestinians.
Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty, along with other Arab ministers, formally conveyed this position to the US at the highest political levels, he said.
According to Abdel Khalek, Egypt hosted a meeting on 30 January at its UN mission headquarters with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the Arab Group.
During the meeting, they reaffirmed their core principles, including Egypt’s firm opposition to ethnic cleansing and forced displacement of Palestinians.
On Thursday, Egypt reaffirmed its categorical rejection of any proposal or plan to liquidate the Palestinian cause by displacing Palestinians from their historic homeland, even temporarily, asserting it “would not be a party to such a plan.”
The Egyptian stance came in response to US President Donald Trump’s repeated proposals to displace the Palestinians out of Gaza, culminating in a shocking plan to take over the Gaza Strip and permanently displace its Palestinian population.
Trump’s remarks drew immediate regional and international condemnation.
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