FM from Baghdad: Cairo stands firmly in support of Iraq's and the Region's security

CAIRO – 9 April 2026: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Egyptian Expatriate Affairs Badr Abdelatty affirmed the depth and unique nature of Egyptian-Iraqi relations, emphasizing that Cairo stands firmly in support of Iraq's stability amidst current "critical and dangerous" regional circumstances.

In a joint press conference Abdelatty held in Baghdad on Thursday, with Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein, the Egyptian minister began by expressing his pleasure at visiting "Baghdad, the City of Peace," noting that his visit follows direct instructions from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to provide all forms of support to the Iraqi people.

He highlighted the visit's symbolic timing, noting that he was the first foreign official to arrive in Iraq immediately after the reopening of its airspace. This, he noted, reflects Egypt's commitment to breaking any isolation imposed on its neighbors by the security situation.

Abdelatty detailed Egypt's efforts to contain regional conflict, emphasizing constant coordination with Iraq, Pakistan, and Turkey to bridge the gap between Iranian and American positions. He expressed hope that upcoming negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan, will yield concrete outcomes to end the current escalation.

"Military solutions only lead to destruction and complicate relations between nations," Abdelatty stressed, reaffirming Egypt's advocacy for negotiated paths and peaceful political solutions as stipulated in the UN Charter.

The Foreign Minister delivered a firm message regarding Arab national security, stating that the security of brotherly Arab states—including Iraq, Jordan, and the six Gulf nations—is an integral part of Egypt’s own security. He condemned any attacks against these countries as "unjustified" and stated that Egypt would not tolerate the continuation of such violations of international law.

Turning to the situation in Lebanon, Abdelatty condemned the "brutal Israeli aggression" against Lebanese territory and Beirut, which has resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths. He described the attacks as a blatant violation of Lebanese sovereignty and called for the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701 to ensure long-term stability.

Abdelatty concluded by emphasizing that the Palestinian cause remains the "primary cause of the Arabs." He briefed his counterpart on Egyptian efforts to implement the second phase of the peace plan proposed by the U.S. President. This plan includes a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the consolidation of weapons under a single Palestinian authority to ensure lasting stability for the Palestinian people.