
Egyptian, Turkish Presidents warn against Middle East sliding into widespread chaos
The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said the two presidents emphasised that this escalatory approach could have disastrous repercussions for the region in a way that may slide into widespread chaos.
They stressed the need for an immediate cessation of military operations and a return to negotiations between the United States and Iran, through Omani mediation, as the only way to reach a peaceful solution to the ongoing crisis.
El-Sisi underscored the need to adopt a comprehensive approach that addresses all security concerns related to nuclear non-proliferation in the region.
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The National
an hour ago
- The National
Iran says it 'remains committed' to nuclear non-proliferation treaty
Iran 'remains committed to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and its safeguards agreement', its Foreign Minister said on Thursday, a day after President Masoud Pezeshkian put into effect a law suspending co-operation with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency. 'Our co-operation with the IAEA will be channelled through Iran's Supreme National Security Council for obvious safety and security reasons,' Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X. Mr Pezeshkian, who also chairs Iran's Supreme National Security Council, on Wednesday approved a law to suspend co-operation with the IAEA, which had been passed by parliament and approved by the Guardian Council, the country's constitutional watchdog. Iranian leaders have accused the UN agency of providing Israel with grounds for attacking its nuclear facilities after its board censured Iran last month for not complying with its obligations under the non-proliferation treaty, which is intended to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. The IAEA has monitored Iran's nuclear energy programme for years. Tehran claims the programme is for peaceful, civilian purposes, but western powers suspect Iran is seeking to build a bomb. Israel launched air strikes aimed at crippling Iran's nuclear infrastructure on June 13, hours after the IAEA board passed the censure resolution. The US entered the conflict on June 22 by sending B-2 bombers to drop 'bunker-buster' bombs on three Iranian nuclear sites. Israel's attacks and Iran's retaliatory missile strikes ended two days later after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire. An IAEA spokesman told The National on Wednesday that they were aware of reports on suspension co-operation with the agency and were 'awaiting further official information from Iran'. The US State Department condemned Iran's move to stop co-operating with the IAEA, while the UN said the decision was 'obviously concerning'. Secretary General Antonio Guterres 'has been very consistent in his call for Iran to co-operate with the IAEA', his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called on Germany, France and Britain 'to reinstate all sanctions against Iran' under an earlier nuclear deal. Germany said Iran's decision to suspend co-operation with the IAEA sends a 'devastating message'. The extent of damage to Iran's nuclear facilities from the Israeli and US attacks is not fully known. Mr Araghchi told US broadcaster CBS in an interview, part of which was released on Tuesday, that the Fordow nuclear plant had been 'seriously and heavily damaged' by the US bombing, adding that the full picture was still unclear. Fordow was the stronghold of Iran's nuclear energy programme and came to be seen as a symbol of defiance by the ruling regime against the international community, as well as a bargaining chip in diplomacy. The site's extreme fortification made it nearly impossible to attack without advanced bunker-busting weaponry, something only the US possesses.

Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
Egypt: Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Meets Executive Secretaries of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)
Al-Mashat discusses outcomes of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) and ways to enhance joint cooperation with UN officials. Al-Mashat emphasizes the need for intensified UN efforts to promote debt sustainability and overcome economic challenges in developing and emerging countries. H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, held intensive bilateral meetings with development partners and government officials during the United Nations Financing for Development conference in Spain. The meetings focused on discussing ways to strengthen joint economic relations and reviewing the outputs and outcomes of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) The Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation met with Ambassador Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). During the meeting, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized the significance of maintaining an open and cooperative dialogue on Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA), particularly as developing countries strive to achieve the dual goals of financing development and maintaining financial sustainability. She highlighted Egypt's commitment to evidence-based policymaking and expressed appreciation for UNECA's role in promoting regional approaches to debt dialogue and capacity building. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat affirmed that UNECA plays a pivotal role in fostering regional debt dialogue and providing technical support to member states. By providing knowledge and resources, the commission helps countries improve their financial strategies and develop debt management systems, thereby enhancing their ability to address economic challenges. The two sides discussed ways to develop joint relations. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat reiterated Egypt's keenness to benefit from the technical expertise and knowledge resources provided by UNECA to refine policies and support inclusive growth. She also highlighted Egypt's commitment to leverage UNECA's support in the field of macro-planning to achieve sustainable development and promote inclusive growth. Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) In another context, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat met with Ms. Rola Dashti, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), to discuss a number of cooperation files. During the meeting, the two parties reviewed potential areas of cooperation and support between the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat confirmed the depth of relations between the two sides and the diversity of cooperation files to include a number of vital issues. H.E. Minister Rania Al-Mashat pointed to the tools developed by ESCWA in the areas of financing, costing, budgeting, and improving debt management. She stressed Egypt's interest in and the importance of these tools, especially in light of the recent launch of Egypt's Integrated National Financing Framework (E-INFF). H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat pointed out the role of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation and its responsibility for managing public investments. She outlined that the AI-powered budgeting tool developed by ESCWA could contribute to guiding optimal public spending decisions to achieve sustainable development goals and accelerate their implementation, in line with Egypt's commitments, national priorities, and Egypt Vision 2030. H.E. Minister Al-Mashat underscored the importance of cooperation with ESCWA to bridge data gaps, as development gaps are linked to financing gaps, making it essential to monitor these gaps accurately. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat also noted the Ministry's role in chairing the Ministerial Committee for Entrepreneurship, which includes various relevant entities. She indicated potential avenues for cooperation in this area, especially given ESCWA's endeavors to support small and medium-sized enterprises and boost their capabilities in e-commerce. The two sides also discussed the possibility of ESCWA supporting the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) by providing innovative ideas and mechanisms to enhance preparations for the upcoming population census. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation - Egypt.


The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Israel responsible for one of the ‘cruellest genocides in modern history', says UN expert
A United Nations expert on Thursday called on states to impose an arms embargo and sever trade and financial ties with Israel, accusing it of carrying out a 'genocidal campaign' in Gaza. Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, told the Human Rights Council in Geneva that Israel was responsible for 'one of the cruellest genocides in modern history' in its offensive against Palestinians. 'Fourteen months ago, I warned that this genocide marked an escalatory stage of a long-standing settler colonial project over Gaza, one that has targeted the Palestinian people for over seven decades, and now it is happening, and we must stop it,' she said. 'The situation in the occupied Palestinian territory is apocalyptic. In Gaza, people continue to endure suffering beyond imagination.' Israel has repeatedly denied allegations of genocide, saying its military operations in Gaza are aimed at dismantling Hamas, the militant group that governs the enclave, following its deadly October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel. The US, Israel's top ally, has repeatedly criticised Ms Albanese. This week its UN mission issued a statement saying her allegations that Israel is committing genocide and engaging in apartheid are "false and offensive." Ms Albanese accused Israel of using its military campaign in Gaza as an opportunity to test new weapons and surveillance technologies, stating it was employing 'lethal drones, rudder systems, and other unmanned technology to exterminate a population without restraint'. She said more than 40 companies were complicit in supporting Israeli settlements and military operations in Gaza. 'The 40 entities named in my report, alongside their parents, subsidiaries, licensees, and franchisees, are just the tip of the iceberg, illustrative of a system that entangles many, many more,' she said. 'What I expose is not a list, it is a system and that is to be addressed.' Ms Albanese, one of dozens of independent UN-mandated rights experts, said arms companies had reaped 'near-record profits' by supplying Israel with advanced weaponry, enabling it to drop 85,000 tonnes of explosives 'six times the power of Hiroshima on Gaza'. 'We must reverse the tide,' she said, urging states to impose a full arms embargo, suspend trade agreements, and hold companies legally accountable for alleged violations of international law. The Gaza war was sparked by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel communities in October 2023, in which 1,200 were killed and another 250 taken hostage. The attack drew a harsh military response from Israel that has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians and injured more than twice that number, according to health authorities in Gaza.