The interview tackled several vital regional and international issues, reflecting Egypt's active diplomatic role on multiple fronts.
On Gaza, Abdelatty highlighted Egypt's ongoing efforts to stabilise the ceasefire and implement its three phases while continuing coordination with the US on the reconstruction plan and upcoming international conference.
On Syria and Sudan, he called for an inclusive political transition in Syria and rejected attempts to form a parallel government in Sudan, warning such actions risk deepening divisions.
Turning to the Nile water dispute, he reiterated Egypt's demand for a legally binding agreement on the Ethiopian dam to safeguard water security.
Abdelatty also underscored the strength of the Egyptian-American partnership, which is rooted in strategic interests, bipartisan support, and growing economic cooperation, including the forthcoming Egypt's Economic Future Forum in Cairo.
Gaza
Al-Ahram Al-Arabi: Has there been an agreement on the nature of the independent, non-factional committee to govern Gaza temporarily?
Badr Abdelatty: Yes, there is a consensus on the members of the non-factional committee that will administer Gaza for a six-month transitional period.
This committee will oversee Gaza's affairs and coordinate humanitarian aid while gradually facilitating the Palestinian Authority's return to assume its responsibilities, reaffirming the unity of the West Bank and Gaza.
This temporary arrangement aims to pave the way for the Palestinian Authority's return. We believe such a return should coincide with a demonstration of sincere intentions to unite the Palestinian front during this pivotal moment in the Palestinian struggle. This unity will contribute to the efforts to create the necessary political horizon for establishing a fully sovereign Palestinian state.
AA: How does Egypt view Israel's attempts to procrastinate advancement to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement? Is there a way to resolve this?
BA: Egypt continues its intensive efforts to solidify and implement all three stages of the ceasefire agreement.
We urge all parties to uphold their commitments, and we are working closely with Qatar and the United States to advance this process. We hope these efforts will yield progress in the negotiations to sustain the ceasefire and contain current tensions, which otherwise pose serious risks to regional peace and stability.
AA: The Egyptian-Arab-Islamic plan for early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza came at a critical time. What are the future steps to further engage the Trump administration's support for the plan?
BA: We will continue engaging with the US administration on the plan's details and implementation mechanisms, particularly given the strong international support it has received. We must build on this momentum.
In this respect, Egypt, Arab, and Islamic countries are working to rally further international support for the reconstruction plan, given the plan's demonstrated potential to restore dignity to the Palestinian people and reconstruct Gaza without displacing its population.
AA: What are the next steps for Egypt, Arab, and Islamic nations to confront Israel's ongoing push for Palestinian displacement?
BA: Following the broad international endorsement of the Gaza reconstruction plan, the next step is to hold an international conference in Cairo in the coming weeks, in partnership with the United Nations and the Palestinian government, to mobilise necessary support and funding for early recovery and reconstruction projects.
Such support would reflect the international community's political and moral commitment to Palestinian rights—chief among them, the right to live on their land.
Such commitment must pave the way to creating a political horizon to enable Palestinians to exercise their right to self-determination, thus establishing their independent state along the 4 June, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
All donors and interested international parties will be invited, especially since many parties have been keen on participating in and supporting Gaza's reconstruction plan. Therefore, we expect the conference to translate such support and enthusiasm into precise mechanisms and commitments.
Sudan
AA: What is the motivation behind certain parties seeking to form a parallel Sudanese government?
BA: Egypt rejects all attempts to form a parallel Sudanese government, viewing such efforts as aiming to divide Sudan, undermine its national institutions, and threaten the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of our brotherly neighbor.
These actions would sow discord among the Sudanese political forces and exacerbate the dire humanitarian situation.
Egypt continues to advocate for an inclusive political process—free from exclusion or foreign interference—that prioritises Sudan's supreme national interests and upholds the integrity of the Sudanese state.
Syria
AA: Syria is witnessing rapid developments recently. What are the key principles of Egypt's stance on these developments?
BA: Egypt maintains a firm and clear position regarding developments in Syria, which is centered on supporting the Syrian state, preserving its national institutions, and ensuring its stability in the face of security challenges.
Egypt rejects any actions that undermine the security, safety, and stability of the brotherly Syrian people.
In all regional and international engagements, Egypt consistently stresses the need for a comprehensive political transition that includes all segments of Syrian society and safeguards the rights of all sects. Additionally, Egypt remains committed to countering terrorism and extremism to ensure Syria becomes a stabilising force in the region.
Egypt's stance on GERD
AA: What steps will Egypt take shortly to address Ethiopia's intransigence in the negotiations over the Nile River and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)?
BA: The waters of the Nile and the associated water security are a top priority for Egypt's national security and will always remain a subject of close monitoring, concern, and care by the Egyptian state and its relevant institutions.
Egypt has engaged in difficult and protracted negotiations with Ethiopia for over 13 years on filling and operating the GERD to no avail due to Ethiopia's intransigence, absence of any political will to reach a legally binding agreement, and insistence on unilateral actions that violate international law.
This stance has brought negotiations to a standstill. Egypt insists that protecting the rights of downstream countries requires reaching a legally binding agreement on the dam's operation that would serve the common interest of all parties.
Future of Egypt-US relations
AA: How do you see the future of Egyptian-American relations under President Donald Trump's administration? When is the next round of strategic dialogue between the two countries expected?
BA: Egypt and the United States share a strong strategic partnership spanning over four decades, built on active and constructive cooperation between the institutions in both countries in economic, political, military, security, and cultural fields.
This partnership is underpinned by mutual strategic and political interests that support regional peace and stability. The relationship between the two countries transcends any differences between the Republican and Democratic parties. Both parties highly regard Egypt for its pivotal role in promoting security and stability in the Middle East.
Economically, Egypt is one of the US's largest trade and investment partners in the region. It prides itself on being the top African recipient of US foreign direct investment and the fifth in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the US is Egypt's third-largest trading partner.
Egypt and the US are coordinating to host the "Egypt's Economic Future Forum" this year in Cairo, in collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce, to boost trade and enhance US investments in Egypt.
During my official visit to Washington in mid-February, shortly after the new administration took office, I met with the US Secretary of State, senior administration and congressional officials, and think-tank representatives. These discussions covered bilateral and regional issues and reaffirmed the importance of resuming periodic rounds of the Egypt-US strategic dialogue at the ministerial level to deepen cooperation.
Egyptians abroad
AA: Supporting Egyptians abroad is a key priority for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Are there any new plans in this regard?
BA: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Ministry of Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs, is committed to enhancing consular services and streamlining procedures for Egyptians abroad.
We have implemented a new system for issuing and renewing passports, significantly reducing processing times to just a few days.
We are also working with relevant authorities to establish a centralised documentation centre, which will enable expatriates to obtain national ID cards and official documents more efficiently.
The ministry continues to strengthen communication with Egyptian communities abroad through social media, informational brochures, and regular meetings to listen to their concerns and respond to their needs.
I personally meet with expatriate communities during my foreign visits—something that has become a regular fixture of my travel agenda. The foreign ministry also organises annual events like the "Egyptians Abroad Conference" to provide a platform for expatriates to present their visions and challenges directly to relevant authorities.
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