STORY: Egypt, Saudi Arabia call for de-escalating regional tensions
SHOOTING TIME: Oct. 15, 2024
DATELINE: Oct. 17, 2024
LENGTH: 0:02:01
LOCATION: Cairo
CATEGORY: MILITARY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the welcoming ceremony (courtesy of the Egyptian Presidency)
2. various of Egyptian president meeting with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (courtesy of the Egyptian Presidency)
3. various of the two sides signing agreements (courtesy of the Egyptian Presidency)

STORYLINE:

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and visiting Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud warned on Tuesday of the seriousness of the regional situation, calling for de-escalating regional tensions.
   
They made the remarks during a meeting in the Egyptian capital, the Egyptian Presidency said in a statement.
   
The discussions also addressed regional developments, particularly the situation in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. Both leaders emphasized that the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, is the only path to achieving sustainable ceasefire, peace, and security in the region.
   
They pointed out that attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause would lead to the continuation of conflict in the region, calling for steps towards de-escalation, including a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, as well as addressing the worsening humanitarian conditions and halting policies that push the region to the brink of further conflict.
   
They also reaffirmed the necessity of respecting Lebanon's sovereignty, security, stability, and territorial integrity.
   
The two leaders also discussed several regional issues, with a focus on the security of the Red Sea region, as well as the situations in Sudan, Libya, and Syria.
   
The two leaders also signed the formation of the Egyptian-Saudi Supreme Coordination Council, co-chaired by Sisi and the Saudi Crown Prince, as well as an agreement to encourage and protect mutual investments between the two countries.
   
The Egyptian president emphasized the importance of continuing joint coordination and cooperation to overcome the current critical stage that the region and the Islamic world are going through, noting the mutual keenness to enhance the historical relations and ties between the two countries.
   
He also expressed keenness to strengthen bilateral institutional mechanisms, especially through the launch of the Egyptian-Saudi Supreme Coordination Council to follow up on various aspects of bilateral relations and ways to develop them continuously.
   
For his part, the Crown Prince stressed the importance that the Kingdom attaches to strengthening bilateral relations and continuing to build on the historical ties between the two countries to achieve common interests at various political, economic, and developmental levels.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Cairo.
(XHTV)