Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a series of meetings in Baghdad on the sidelines of the 52nd session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Council of Foreign Ministers, focusing on regional de-escalation, Iran, Yemen, Sudan, Libya and Syria, as well as UN reform and the Palestinian issue.
In a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, Abdelatty discussed developments surrounding Iran and efforts to contain regional tensions, with both ministers calling for a return to dialogue and the resumption of diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran.
Abdelatty said Egypt supported closer coordination through the regional quadrilateral mechanism and rejected any threat to Gulf states or the use of strategic straits and maritime routes as instruments of pressure or escalation.
The two ministers reviewed proposals aimed at reaching an agreement that could ease tensions and end the current escalation.
Their talks also covered Yemen, with both sides stressing support for state institutions and condemning attacks on Saudi Arabia.
On Sudan, Abdelatty called for preserving the country’s unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national institutions while supporting efforts towards a political settlement.
He also stressed the need to end divisions in Libya and unify national institutions. On Syria, he reiterated support for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and rejected Israeli attacks on Syrian territory.
In a separate meeting, Abdelatty held talks with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on Egypt’s partnership with the United Nations, regional crises and proposed reforms to the international organisation.
Abdelatty said UN reform should be accompanied by changes to the Security Council that ensure fairer African representation in line with the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.
The meeting also covered the process of selecting the next UN secretary-general, with Abdelatty saying the choice should be based on competence, integrity and diplomatic ability.
The two officials also discussed Gaza and the West Bank, with Abdelatty stressing adherence to international and humanitarian law and the need for political and diplomatic solutions to regional conflicts.
Abdelatty also met newly appointed OIC Secretary-General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed and reiterated Egypt’s support for strengthening and reforming the organisation.
He called for greater use of Egyptian expertise across OIC institutions and discussed the Palestinian issue and Jerusalem, reiterating Egypt’s rejection of measures aimed at changing the city’s historical and legal status.
In another meeting with Yemeni Foreign Minister Afrah Abdulaziz Al-Zouba, Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s support for Yemen’s unity and sovereignty and for political and diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.
The two ministers discussed regional developments and security in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab, stressing the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation and preventing tensions from developing into a wider conflict.
Abdelatty also reiterated Egypt’s rejection of attacks on Saudi Arabia, saying the kingdom’s security was an integral part of Egyptian national security..