Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration, Badr Abdel Aaty, on Sunday called on the international community to unite efforts to prevent Syria from becoming a source of regional instability or a hub for terrorist groups.
This came during Minister Abdel Aaty’s participation in the expanded Arab ministerial meeting on Syria, held in Riyadh in the presence of the Secretary-General of the Arab League and the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The meeting was followed by a gathering of Arab foreign ministers with the Turkish Foreign Minister, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tamim Khalaf.
In a press statement, the spokesperson revealed that Minister Abdel Aaty outlined Egypt’s position, emphasizing the importance of preserving Syria’s unity and territorial integrity, respecting its sovereignty, and supporting its national institutions to enhance their ability to serve the Syrian people effectively.
Minister Abdel Aaty called for adopting an inclusive political process owned and led by Syrians that involves all components and factions of Syrian society without excluding any political or social groups. This approach, he stressed, would ensure the success of the transitional process and align with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254.
He reaffirmed Egypt’s full support for the Syrian people and their legitimate aspirations, urging all Syrian parties at this critical juncture to prioritize national interests and support stability in the country.
The minister stressed that a comprehensive political process should reflect Syria's societal, religious, sectarian, and ethnic diversity, making Syria a source of regional stability. He also highlighted the need to allow different national political forces to play a role in managing the transitional phase and rebuilding Syria and its national institutions to restore its deserved regional and international standing.
Minister Abdel Aaty emphasized the importance of cooperation among all regional and international parties in combating terrorism, ensuring that no terrorist elements are harbored on Syrian territory, as this could pose a threat or provocation to other countries in the region. He also called for international unity to prevent Syria from becoming a source of instability or a hub for terrorist groups.
Furthermore, Abdel Aaty condemned Israel’s incursions into the buffer zone with Syria and its occupation of Syrian territories. He reiterated Egypt’s categorical rejection of Israel’s violations of the 1974 disengagement agreement between Syria and Israel, which constitute a breach of international law.
He stressed the necessity of Israel’s withdrawal from the Syrian territories it has occupied and respect for the disengagement agreement. Abdel Aaty also expressed Egypt’s condemnation of Israel’s systematic airstrikes targeting the Syrian army’s infrastructure and military capabilities.
The expanded meeting in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, aimed to ensure stability and security in Syria.
