Supporting Syria in this ‘crucial phase’ is important: Egypt FM to Saudi counterpart

Ahram Online , Monday 23 Dec 2024

Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty stressed the importance of supporting Syria in this “crucial phase” in its history during a phone call with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan on Monday evening.

Sa and Eg

 

 

During the call, which covered the latest political and on-the-ground developments in Syria, Abdelatty reaffirmed the need to respect Syria's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity and empower its national institutions to carry out their responsibilities.

According to a statement issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abdelatty reiterated the importance of initiating a comprehensive political process, led and owned by Syria, in which all Syrians participate, to restore stability.

Egypt has called for mobilizing regional and global support for Syria during its transitional phase.

On Monday, a source with close ties to the Saudi government informed AFP that a Saudi delegation had met with Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Damascus the previous day.

Sharaa, whose Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) played a key role in the offensive that ousted Bashar al-Assad's regime on 8 December, has hosted diplomats from the Middle East and other regions in recent days.


Syria's reconstruction
 

In a separate phone call, Abdelatty emphasized to his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi the importance of enhancing coordination among regional and international parties to support Syria’s rebuilding efforts.

Safadi updated Abdelatty on the outcomes of his visit to Syria earlier on Monday, the Egyptian foreign affairs ministry stated.

In a meeting with Sharaa on Monday, Safadi expressed his country's support for Syria's reconstruction, marking the first visit to Syria by a senior Jordanian official since Assad was ousted.

Meanwhile, during their Monday call, Egypt's top diplomat and the Saudi foreign minister discussed the latest developments in Gaza.

Abdelatty also reviewed Cairo's ongoing efforts with the relevant parties to achieve an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and to ensure the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.

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