Egypt says 'terrorists presence' in Syria jeopardizes entire region
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Egypt's Foreign Minister underlines during a Riyadh meeting on Syria his country's opposition to the presence of terrorists in Syria.
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Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty during a meeting with the foreign ministers of the Arab Contact Group on Syria in Jordan's southern Red Sea coastal city of Aqaba, Saturday Dec. 14, 2024 (AP)
Egypt has reaffirmed its rejection of the presence of what it described as terrorist elements on Syrian territory, citing the potential threat or provocation they pose to regional countries. It has also called for a comprehensive political process involving all components and factions of Syrian society to ensure the success of the transitional period.
Speaking at the expanded ministerial meeting on Syria held in Riyadh, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty stated, "There must be no harboring of any terrorist elements on Syrian soil, as this could represent a threat or provocation to any regional countries." He urged the international community to unite to prevent Syria from becoming a source of instability in the region.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spokesperson Tamim Khilaf highlighted that Abdel Aty emphasized Egypt's commitment to maintaining Syria's unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. The minister also underscored the need to support Syria’s national institutions to enhance their capacity to serve the Syrian people.
Abdel Aty called for the adoption of a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned comprehensive political process that includes all segments and factions of Syrian society without the exclusion of any political or social groups to guarantee the success of the transitional phase.
Condemnation of Israeli violations
The Egyptian Foreign Minister condemned Israeli actions in the demilitarized zone with Syria, specifically criticizing the Israeli occupation of Syrian territory. Abdel Aty reaffirmed Egypt's full rejection of the Israeli regime's violations of the 1974 disengagement agreement between the occupation and Syria, calling them breaches of international law.
He further demanded the Israeli occupation's withdrawal from the Syrian territories it occupies and adherence to the disengagement agreement. Additionally, Abdel Aty denounced systematic Israeli airstrikes targeting the Syrian army's infrastructure and military capabilities.
The Riyadh meeting serves as an extension of the previous gathering in Aqaba, Jordan, on December 14. Participants include the foreign ministers of Turkey, Syria, the Gulf Cooperation Council member states, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The United States and Italy are represented at the level of deputy foreign ministers, alongside the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the UN Special Envoy to Syria.
ISIS plans foiled
This comes after Syrian news agency SANA reported that Syria's Intelligence Directorate thwarted an attempt by the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group to carry out a bombing at the Sayyeda Zainab shrine, a sacred site that houses the tomb of Zainab bint Ali, granddaughter of Prophet Muhammad and a destination for Muslim visitors, in the capital Damascus.
SANA published footage showing an IS cell, whose plans were reportedly foiled by the General Security Administration.
A source within Syria's intelligence agency told SANA that intelligence and security forces "succeeded in thwarting an attempt by IS to carry out a bombing" inside the shrine.
The news agency mentioned that the members of the cell were arrested before carrying out the attack.
The source asserted that the agency is utilizing all its resources to counter any attempts to target the Syrian people in all their diversity.
