Egypt and Saudi Arabia Discuss Developments in Gaza and Sudan

SadaNews - On Monday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Atti discussed with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan the developments in Gaza and Sudan.

This came during a phone call between them, "as part of the ongoing coordination and consultation between the two countries," according to a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry stated that the two sides addressed the ongoing arrangements for holding the first meeting of the higher Egyptian-Saudi coordination council, which is scheduled to take place in the upcoming period, chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

It added that the ministers exchanged views on the developments in Gaza.

Abdel Atti emphasized, according to the statement, the importance of ensuring the sustainability of the ceasefire and implementing the requirements of the second phase of former U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza.

He stressed the necessity of implementing Security Council Resolution 2803 and the importance of deploying an international stability force to monitor the ceasefire, protect civilians, and enable Palestinian forces to carry out law enforcement duties in Gaza.

In November of last year, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2803, concerning the cessation of hostilities and the governance of Gaza post-war.

Abdel Atti also highlighted the importance of ensuring the unobstructed access of humanitarian aid and creating conditions for early recovery and reconstruction.

The ceasefire agreement came into effect in October of last year, ending a genocide perpetrated by Israel since October 7, 2023, lasting for two years with U.S. support, resulting in over 70,000 Palestinian martyrs, more than 170,000 injured, and immense destruction affecting 90% of civil infrastructure, with preliminary losses estimated at $70 billion.

The call also addressed the developments in Sudan, where the ministers reaffirmed the importance of continuing coordination within the framework of the Quadruple Mechanism (which includes Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the United States), with the aim of achieving a comprehensive ceasefire; according to the statement.

Abdel Atti emphasized the need to provide "safe havens and humanitarian corridors to ensure the unobstructed delivery of humanitarian aid."

He reiterated Egypt's steadfast position supporting the unity, sovereignty, and stability of Sudan and maintaining its national institutions.

The humanitarian suffering in Sudan is exacerbated by the ongoing war due to a dispute between the army and the "Rapid Support Forces" since April 2023 over unifying the military institution, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands of Sudanese and the displacement of 13 million people.

The two sides concluded the call by emphasizing the importance of continuing coordination and close consultation during the upcoming phase, "to contribute to supporting regional stability and enhancing joint Arab action in facing current challenges," according to the same statement.