A foreign ministry statement said that Abdelatty made the remarks during a virtual, ministerial-level extraordinary session of the Arab League Council, held and chaired by the United Arab Emirates, to discuss the ongoing military escalation and attacks affecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a number of Arab states.
During the meeting, Abdelatty stressed the need to activate the concept of Arab national security to safeguard the sovereignty and stability of Arab countries, noting that stronger mechanisms of collective Arab coordination are required to address current threats effectively.
The Egyptian foreign minister also expressed Egypt’s full solidarity with the Gulf states, Jordan, and Iraq in confronting the Iranian attacks, stressing Egypt’s categorical condemnation and complete rejection of the assaults, as well as any justifications offered to defend them.
At the same time, Abdelatty underlined the importance of prioritizing dialogue and diplomatic channels to de-escalate the current military tensions, warning of the seriousness of the situation and the risks to the region of sliding into further escalation and widespread instability.
The meeting comes amid a rapidly escalating regional conflict triggered by a US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, which has expanded into a wider confrontation across the Middle East.
In retaliation, Iran has launched missile and drone attacks against Israeli targets and what it described as US assets in the region, particularly in Gulf countries, causing casualties and damage and forcing temporary airport closures and disruptions to regional airspace.
The conflict has raised fears of a broader regional war, threatening global energy markets and key maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
The escalating tensions have also disrupted aviation, trade routes, and financial markets, prompting Arab states to intensify diplomatic coordination and security consultations.
Egypt has intensified diplomatic efforts to prevent the confrontation from expanding into a wider regional war. President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and senior Egyptian officials have spoken with regional and international leaders, stressing the need to halt military escalation and pursue political and diplomatic solutions.
Cairo has also engaged with the EU and Mediterranean states to coordinate positions aimed at reducing tensions.
Egyptian diplomacy warned that continued escalation could destabilize the Middle East and have severe economic repercussions for the region and the global economy, including disrupting energy markets, maritime navigation, and regional trade routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
Cairo has also advocated, through the Arab League, for a unified Arab position calling for de-escalation, respect for state sovereignty, and the resolution of conflicts through diplomacy.
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