CAIRO/BAGHDAD, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Monday called for an urgent de-escalation of regional tensions to prevent the Middle East from sliding into "total chaos."
Abdelatty made the remarks during separate phone calls with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, and Iraq, according to a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
The discussions focused on rapid and dangerous developments in the region and the ongoing Iranian attacks against countries, the statement said.
Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's full solidarity with Arab countries and condemned the "unacceptable and unjustified attacks" targeting them. He also expressed Egypt's full support for the sovereignty, security, stability, and territorial integrity of Arab countries, stressing the necessity for Iran to immediately cease targeting Arab countries.
He urged all parties to "exercise maximum restraint, prioritize dialogue, and resort to reason and political and diplomatic solutions."
Separately, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein discussed on Monday in a phone call with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs of the United Arab Emirates. Hussein called for a ceasefire and de-escalation, to protect civilians and preserve the security and stability of the region.
The diplomatic efforts come amid heightened regional tensions. On Saturday morning, joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with some of the leader's family members, senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded through several waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. bases across the Middle East. ■
