Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty called for de-escalation to implement the ceasefire in Gaza and ensure the safety of maritime transport in the region. Abdelatty said navigation problems in the Bab al-Mandab Strait had caused Egypt to lose approximately $11 billion in Suez Canal revenues.
Abdelatty said Egypt remained in constant contact with Yemen's legitimate government and that his country was working to reduce tensions. The Egyptian foreign minister noted that Egypt was among the countries most affected by regional tensions in terms of maritime transport.
Call for implementation of the Gaza ceasefire
Abdelatty said some conditions of the first phase of the Gaza agreement had not yet been implemented, foremost among them the entry of 600 aid trucks into Gaza every day. He said efforts to implement the first phase and move to the second phase were continuing.
Abdelatty said the second phase included the delivery of weapons and Israel's withdrawal from Gaza among its key provisions. He argued that Hamas had accepted the arrangement, but Israel had not fulfilled its obligations.
Abdelatty said Israel's settlement expansion and land confiscation practices weakened the ceasefire and the prospect of lasting peace, adding that these steps increased the obstacles to establishing a Palestinian state.
The figures cited put the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since October 8, 2023, at more than 73,000, with more than 174,000 injured and approximately 90 percent of the infrastructure destroyed.
Iran-US tensions and the Strait of Hormuz
The Egyptian foreign minister called for diplomacy and dialogue to be prioritized in reducing tensions between Iran and the United States. He said returning to the Islamabad understanding reportedly signed between Iran and the United States in mid-June was an important path toward reaching a comprehensive and sustainable agreement.
Abdelatty said maritime transport in the Strait of Hormuz must be kept safe and trade and energy shipments must continue. He said tensions between Washington and Tehran had placed an economic burden on countries in the region, adding that fuel and fertilizer crises had emerged in some African countries.
Abdelatty announced that Egypt would continue its contacts with all parties and condemned attacks targeting Arab countries. The statement also included accounts that military attacks had taken place because of disputes between the United States and Iran over maritime transport, and that the United States and Israel had launched a war against Iran on February 28.
Sudan, Lebanon and Arab security
Abdelatty said joint capabilities must be strengthened to protect Arab national security. He called for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and non-interference in their internal affairs. He said the Arab Joint Defence Agreement should form the basis of the regional security structure.
Abdelatty said Sudan's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity must be preserved and that Egypt supported a comprehensive political process. The crisis in Sudan has continued since April 2023, with the fighting causing famine and mass displacement.
Abdelatty condemned attacks targeting southern Lebanon and called for the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. He called for the strengthening of the Lebanese state's sovereignty over its territory and said control of weapons must be organized in a way that protects Lebanon's security and stability.
Water security in the Nile Basin
Abdelatty said Egypt based its relations with Nile Basin countries on cooperation, development, common interests and mutual benefit. He said Egypt's water security did not conflict with the development goals of other countries.
Abdelatty said the Nile River must be managed in line with the principles of international law, non-harm, cooperation and consensus. He noted that Egypt rejected unilateral steps in the eastern Nile Basin that violated international law.
Abdelatty said Egypt would take all measures permitted under international law to protect the vital resources and rights of its people.
