LONDON

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Thursday met Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in Cairo, and the two discussed pressing regional security concerns, including the ongoing crisis in Sudan and efforts to solidify the recently established Gaza ceasefire.

Lammy emphasized the importance of Egypt’s role in stabilizing the region, particularly following the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which was brokered with Egyptian mediation.

"Just days into the Gaza ceasefire, we discussed regional security and finding a pathway to sustainable peace, as well as the crisis in Sudan," Lammy said in a social media post following the meeting.​​​​​​​

According to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the second session of the Egypt-UK Association Council was held.

“A reaffirmation of the commitment to a strong partnership to advance regional stability & develop trade & investment relations,” the spokesperson said on X.

The ceasefire deal in Gaza took effect on Jan. 19, suspending Israel’s genocidal war that has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, since Oct. 7, 2023.

The three-phase ceasefire agreement includes a prisoner exchange and sustained calm, aiming for a permanent truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

The Israeli onslaught has left Gaza in ruins, and its residents displaced, hungry and prone to disease.

In Sudan, war between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) continues since April 2023. Both have accused each other of war crimes, including targeting civilians and indiscriminately shelling residential areas, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of people.