Cairo, Doha in constant consultation to secure ceasefire in Gaza war: Egyptian, Qatari FMs

Ahram Online , Wednesday 27 Nov 2024

Egypt and Qatar are in constant consultation regarding negotiations to secure a ceasefire in Gaza as quickly as possible, both Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Qatari counterpart Foreign Minister and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani emphasized on Wednesday.

Egypt and Qatar
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Qatari counterpart Foreign Minister and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani during a joint press conference. Photo courtesy of Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

This came during a joint press conference of the two ministers, which was held following their talks in Cairo.

Earlier, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman arrived in Cairo for a visit, leading a large delegation of Qatari ministers and officials.

During the joint press conference, Minister Abdelatty highlighted the genuine and persistent efforts by Egypt and Qatar over the past year to reach a deal ensuring an immediate ceasefire, protecting Palestinian lives, and securing the release of all detainees and several Palestinian prisoners.

He further explained that the discussions included ways to support humanitarian efforts and strengthen international responses to the crisis in Gaza.

Abdelatty underscored that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on its entire national territory remains the sole pathway to achieving lasting stability in the region.

Egypt and Qatar, along with the US, have mediated indirect talks between Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire/prisoner swao deal to the end the Israeli war that devastated Gaza.

However, these efforts were repeatedly thwarted by the obstinacy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who opted to escalate the aggression against the strip.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister also reiterated Cairo's full support for the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which took effect on Wednesday morning, and for enabling the Lebanese state to exercise its full rights.

Abdelatty pointed out the strong political will of both nations' leaderships—Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani—to achieve a significant leap in bilateral relations.

This includes cooperation in political, economic, cultural, and commercial fields and enhanced consultation and coordination on regional and international matters of mutual concern.

He confirmed that bilateral relations were comprehensively reviewed, focusing on investment and trade.

He also noted that the Qatari prime minister had listened to Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and other Egyptian ministers outline Egypt's favourable investment climate as they discussed efforts to overcome any obstacles investors face and develop the business environment.

From his side, the Qatari prime minister said Wednesday that he is looking forward to taking part in a humanitarian conference to support Gaza, slated for 2 December in Egypt.

He added that the talks with Egyptian officials also included discussions on regional developments, especially in the ongoing wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

 The Qatari prime minister emphasized the importance of efforts to de-escalate regional tensions and achieve a ceasefire in Gaza as quickly as possible.

"We agreed on the importance of intensified coordination between the two countries and other Arab nations in the coming phase concerning regional developments, ensuring a clear and unified vision among Arab states in this regard." Al Thani noted the ongoing consultation and coordination between Qatar and Egypt to end the aggression on the Gaza Strip.

He also hoped that the truce agreement in Lebanon would lead to a genuine cessation of hostilities and could pave the way for broader calm in the Gaza Strip.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman also discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in humanitarian fields, especially given the deteriorating conditions in Gaza and Sudan.

The Qatari prime minister said an agreement was reached with Egypt on joint projects to provide humanitarian support for Arab people in need.

Sheikh Mohammed said his meetings in Egypt focused on bilateral relations and economic cooperation, adding that the talks also focused on Qatari investments in Egypt.

Earlier Wednesday, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met with the Qatari prime minister, during which they affirmed their aspiration to build on the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon to reach comprehensive regional stability.

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