Cairo, Egypt - October 17, 2024

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi held talks in Cairo on Thursday with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on preventing the escalating regional conflicts into a full-scale war.

The visit conducted by Araghchi, who is on a regional tour over Israeli escalation in the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon, marks the first visit to Egypt by an Iranian foreign minister since 2013.

The Egyptian presidency said in a statement on its website that Sisi reiterated Egypt's position during the talks, calling on all parties not to expand the scope of the conflict, to stop the escalation of the situation, and to prevent the Middle East from falling into a full-scale war.

Sisi also stressed that the international community must continue to strengthen its efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, stop violations and aggression in the West Bank, and allow civilians' access to necessary humanitarian aids, according to the statement.

Iran's official news agency IRNA reported that Araghchi and Egyptian leaders called for strengthened consultations and coordination to end the suffering of the Lebanese and Palestinian people and prevent the conflict from expanding.

Egyptian political analysts say they believe that this visit marks an important progress in the relations between the two countries, and also reflects the common aspirations for peace and stability and concerns for current tensions among regional countries.

Shotlist:
Cairo, Egypt - Oct 17, 2024:
1. Photo of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi;
FILE: Cairo, Egypt - April 6, 2019
2. Egyptian national flag;
FILE: Cairo, Egypt - July 24, 2022
3. Egyptian national flag in front of building;
FILE: Cairo, Egypt - Date Unknown
4. Cityscape, traffic;
FILE: Tehran, Iran - April 25, 2023
5. Various of Iranian national flags, buildings, traffic;
Egypt - Oct 17, 2024
6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Walid, political analyst (full name not given):
"This is the first visit by an Iranian foreign minister to Egypt in 12 years. This visit is of great significance, especially in the diplomatic and economic fields of the two countries. The two sides exchanged views on issues such as Palestine and Lebanon, which is conducive to jointly addressing regional challenges.";
Gaza Strip - Oct 13, 2024
7.Various of people transferring injured victim from car into hospital;
8. Damaged building;
Gaza Strip - Oct 14, 2024
9. Various of debris, displaced people;
Beirut, Lebanon - Oct 11, 2024
10. Parked vehicles, motorcycles moving, pedestrians on street;
11. Various of damaged buildings, destroyed cars, rubbles.

[Restriction - No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya/Persian language TV Stations outside Iran. Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International TV]