Egypt's foreign minister has warned of the risk of an all-out regional war after fighting between Israel and Lebanon's “Hezbollah” stepped up, saying the escalation was “having a negative impact” on the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, reported dariknews.bg.
Badr Abdelati spoke ahead of the annual meeting of world leaders at the United Nations, where a chorus of international powers called on Israel and Hezbollah to pull back from the brink.
“There is great concern about the possibility of an escalation in the region leading to an all-out regional war,” he told AFP at UN headquarters, adding that the latest surge in violence had “impacted negatively” of the ceasefire negotiations.
“But Egypt, along with Qatar and the United States, has the full determination and commitment to continue” efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement, he said.
Qatar, Egypt and the US have been trying for months to reach an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, which diplomats say will help ease tensions in the region.
"All the components of the deal are ready," Abdelati said. “The problem is the lack of political will on the Israeli side,”, he added.
Abdelati also accused the “provocative politics” of Israel for intensifying fighting with Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas.
“We are talking with our regional and international partners, including the US, about how important it is to work to stop the escalation and to stop the unilateral and provocative policies that Israel is pursuing,” he said.
The regional fire “does not serve the interests of either side”, added Egypt's top diplomat.
Abdelati spoke after meetings in Washington with US officials this week, including White House adviser Amos Hochstein, who is leading efforts to broker a truce between Lebanon and Israel.
Earlier on Wednesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pledged to step up efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza during talks with visiting US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
Blinken said a ceasefire would be the best way to stop violence from spreading in the Middle East.
"We all know that a ceasefire is the best chance to deal with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, to deal with the risks to regional stability," he said.
Badr Abdelati spoke ahead of the annual meeting of world leaders at the United Nations, where a chorus of international powers called on Israel and Hezbollah to pull back from the brink.
“There is great concern about the possibility of an escalation in the region leading to an all-out regional war,” he told AFP at UN headquarters, adding that the latest surge in violence had “impacted negatively” of the ceasefire negotiations.
“But Egypt, along with Qatar and the United States, has the full determination and commitment to continue” efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement, he said.
Qatar, Egypt and the US have been trying for months to reach an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, which diplomats say will help ease tensions in the region.
"All the components of the deal are ready," Abdelati said. “The problem is the lack of political will on the Israeli side,”, he added.
Abdelati also accused the “provocative politics” of Israel for intensifying fighting with Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas.
“We are talking with our regional and international partners, including the US, about how important it is to work to stop the escalation and to stop the unilateral and provocative policies that Israel is pursuing,” he said.
The regional fire “does not serve the interests of either side”, added Egypt's top diplomat.
Abdelati spoke after meetings in Washington with US officials this week, including White House adviser Amos Hochstein, who is leading efforts to broker a truce between Lebanon and Israel.
Earlier on Wednesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pledged to step up efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza during talks with visiting US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
Blinken said a ceasefire would be the best way to stop violence from spreading in the Middle East.
"We all know that a ceasefire is the best chance to deal with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, to deal with the risks to regional stability," he said.