Egypt FM Hosts Media Leaders, Warns of Escalating Regional Tensions

2026-03-18 - 22:01

Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates, Badr Abdelatty, hosted a high-level gathering of media leaders, editors-in-chief, and prominent journalists during a Ramadan iftar on Tuesday, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening engagement with the media amid a critical period for the region. The meeting brought together heads of media authorities, newspaper board chairpersons, editors, and accredited foreign ministry correspondents as part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to maintain open and constructive dialogue with the press. Abdelatty praised the pivotal role played by Egyptian media, particularly in light of the complex and evolving regional landscape. He emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration with media institutions to support national interests and reinforce Egypt’s position on both regional and international fronts. During the meeting, the minister outlined Egypt’s recent diplomatic efforts in addressing pressing regional developments, underscoring Cairo’s central role in promoting regional and global security and stability. He highlighted that Egypt’s foreign policy remains grounded in preserving regional security, advancing political and diplomatic solutions to conflicts, and safeguarding state institutions and national sovereignty. Abdelatty also addressed the escalating tensions in the region, referencing his recent Gulf tour—conducted under directives from President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi—which included visits to five countries. The tour reaffirmed Egypt’s full solidarity with Gulf nations and Jordan, reflecting the strength of longstanding ties. He strongly condemned recent Iranian attacks targeting Arab territories, describing them as unjustifiable and stressing that any infringement on the sovereignty of Arab states constitutes a direct threat to Egyptian and Arab national security. The minister warned of the severe consequences of ongoing military escalation and called for de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomatic solutions to prevent a broader regional conflict. On the Palestinian cause, Abdelatty highlighted the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, reiterating Egypt’s continued support for the Palestinian cause. He stressed the importance of empowering the national committee responsible for Gaza’s administration as a step toward enabling the Palestinian Authority to assume full governance over both Gaza and the West Bank. He also emphasized the urgency of advancing early recovery and reconstruction efforts. Turning to Lebanon, the minister condemned repeated Israeli attacks and incursions into Lebanese territory, reaffirming Egypt’s rejection of any violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He reiterated Cairo’s support for Lebanese state institutions in asserting control over all national territory and called for an immediate halt to Israeli violations. Regarding Sudan, Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s firm stance against any threats to Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity. He called for an immediate humanitarian truce, protection of state institutions, and intensified international efforts to facilitate humanitarian aid access across the country. The iftar concluded with an interactive discussion between the minister and attendees, covering a wide range of regional issues. Abdelatty stressed the critical role of the media in raising public awareness, presenting accurate information, and countering misinformation during what he described as a “decisive and sensitive phase” for the region.