In an interview with Al-Ghad TV broadcast on Saturday, Abdelatty described Egyptian-Syrian relations as “normal” and progressing well, citing the longstanding historical ties between the two peoples.
He noted that Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani had visited Cairo and that Egyptian economic and trade delegations had travelled to Damascus.
“We fully support Syria’s security and stability and the well-being of the Syrian people,” Abdelatty said.
He added that Cairo offers advice to the Syrian authorities when necessary, particularly regarding the need for an inclusive political process, confronting terrorism and ensuring that Syria does not become a source of threats.
“Their security and stability are certainly an Egyptian and Arab interest,” he said, adding that developments were moving “in the right direction.”
State authority and arms control
Abdelatty said Egypt’s approach to Syria reflects its broader support for the nation-state and the authority of national institutions across the region, including in Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, and Yemen.
He said President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi contacted Iraq’s new prime minister immediately after his election, while Cairo continues to coordinate regularly with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein.
Egypt supports the Iraqi government’s efforts to restrict weapons to the state and extend its authority throughout the country, Abdelatty added.
“Stability cannot be achieved without the existence of a nation-state and full support for its national institutions,” he said, warning that armed groups operating outside state structures undermine sustainable security.
Gaza plan and Palestinian displacement
Turning to Gaza, Abdelatty said Palestinian factions had demonstrated considerable flexibility on restricting and surrendering their weapons, creating an opportunity to move towards the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan.
However, he said key provisions of the first phase had yet to be implemented, particularly those concerning the unrestricted entry of humanitarian assistance, the delivery of at least 600 aid trucks a day and the rehabilitation of hospitals and medical facilities.
Abdelatty stressed that the second phase must address the disarmament provisions and Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip simultaneously.
“If the Palestinian factions demonstrate flexibility and full readiness to restrict and hand over their weapons, this process must take place simultaneously with the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip,” he said.
He also called for the deployment of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) and the entry of the Palestinian national committee assigned to administer Gaza during a transitional period scheduled to continue until the end of December 2027.
The arrangement should ultimately enable the Palestinian Authority to resume its responsibilities in Gaza, given the “organic connection” between the strip and the occupied West Bank, he added.
Abdelatty accused Israel of failing to meet its obligations under the agreement and condemned the continued killing of civilians despite Palestinian factions declaring their readiness to relinquish their weapons.
“This position is unacceptable and has no justification other than an attempt to evade implementing President Trump’s plan,” he said.
Abdelatty added that he remains in contact with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, saying Washington appeared willing to advance the plan’s second phase.
He also reaffirmed Egypt’s rejection of any attempt to displace Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank.
“The Palestinian people remain attached to their land and national soil, reject displacement and annexation, and will continue to remain on their land,” he said.
Abdelatty warned that displacement proposals had not disappeared, describing them as a red line for Egypt and the wider Arab and Islamic worlds.
“There is no such thing as voluntary displacement,” he said. “If you create conditions in Gaza in which life becomes impossible, you are pushing and forcing the population to leave against their will.”
He also described Israeli measures in the West Bank as a form of “silent annexation” threatening the remaining prospects for establishing an independent Palestinian state under the two-state solution.
Iran, the Gulf, and regional de-escalation
Abdelatty said Egypt was coordinating with regional partners to reduce tensions and encourage the United States and Iran to return to negotiations.
Diplomatic efforts should focus on implementing the memorandum of understanding previously reached between Washington and Tehran and transforming it into a final agreement covering Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, he said.
“We have made very significant progress, and there is a degree of optimism that an agreement will soon be reached on interim arrangements concerning navigation,” Abdelatty said.
Such arrangements could facilitate a return to negotiations and pave the way for a broader agreement addressing the conflict and regional escalation, he added.
Abdelatty defended Egypt’s decision to maintain communication with Tehran while condemning Iranian attacks against Gulf countries, saying diplomatic channels must remain open to prevent further escalation.
“If we are talking about de-escalation, diplomacy and dialogue, channels of communication must remain open,” he said.
At the same time, he reaffirmed Cairo’s solidarity with the Gulf states, describing attacks against Arab countries that had committed no hostile acts as unjustified.
“Egyptian public opinion, the Egyptian leadership and the Egyptian government stand wholeheartedly with our brothers in the Gulf,” Abdelatty said.
Lebanon and Red Sea security
On Lebanon, Abdelatty said Egypt hoped direct Lebanese-Israeli negotiations would secure an end to Israeli attacks and Israel’s complete withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory.
Cairo supports the full implementation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1701 and remains in contact with Lebanon’s presidency, government and parliament, he said.
Egypt also supports restricting weapons to the Lebanese state and strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces’ sovereignty and control throughout the country.
“Our region has suffered from the existence of non-state entities, whether in Sudan, Libya, Yemen or elsewhere,” Abdelatty said.
Regarding the Red Sea, he stressed that responsibility for protecting navigation through the waterway and the Bab Al-Mandab Strait rests exclusively with coastal states.
Egypt is working to activate the Council of Arab and African States Bordering the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to ensure its members play a decisive role in regional security arrangements, he added.
Chad and Egypt’s African engagement
Abdelatty described relations between Egypt and Chad as strategic, noting that his latest trip was his third visit to the country as foreign minister in two years.
He said the visit highlighted expanding economic and trade ties, political coordination and the two countries’ shared commitment to supporting security and stability in Central and West Africa and the Sahel.
Sustainable security cannot be achieved without development, while lasting development depends on security, he said.
Abdelatty described Egypt’s engagement with Africa as a longstanding pillar of its foreign policy and national-security doctrine, reinforced by El-Sisi’s directives to deepen relations across the continent.
Egypt is also seeking to activate the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), increase intra-African trade and encourage Egyptian companies to contribute their expertise to development projects across Africa, he added.
Abdelatty identified two principal categories of threats to Egypt’s national security: conventional threats, including terrorism, extremism, arms trafficking, organized crime and irregular migration, and the “existential” challenge of water security.
Libya’s unity a red line
On Libya, Abdelatty said Egypt’s policy centres on unifying the country’s military, political and financial institutions and ending its prolonged institutional division.
Cairo maintains communication with the Libyan National Army and House of Representatives, as well as political parties in western and southern Libya, he said.
“We have made progress from the outset towards unifying the military establishment, as well as the financial institutions,” Abdelatty said. “This is the only guarantee for achieving security and stability in Libya.”
He stressed that Egypt would reject any attempt to divide the country.
“This is a red line for us, and we will not accept it,” he said.
Egypt supports initiatives led by the UN envoy and other international actors, including the United States, while using its contacts with parties across eastern, western and southern Libya to encourage national unity, Abdelatty added.
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