CAIRO: Egypt will re-examine its severed relations with Syria, and will improve ties with the conflict-stricken Arab nation, the country’s newly installed Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy said on Saturday.
“The decision to cut full diplomatic ties with Syria will be re-examined,” Fahmy told reporters at a press conference in Cairo on Saturday.
Fahmy further noted that the situation in Egypt is difficult, and that the North African state will work to enhance its relations with neighboring countries as well as other international players.
“Our relations will be with countries and peoples, not with leaders or parties,” the interim Egyptian foreign minister pointed out.
Fahmy also stressed that Egypt has no intention of waging a holy war against Syria.
Last month, Egypt’s former president, Mohamed Morsi, cut all diplomatic ties with Damascus and backed a no-fly zone over Syria. The move pitted the most populous nation in the Arab world against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
Fahmy added that “political solution” is the only way to get out of the Syrian crisis.
“Only political solution could preserve Syria’s sovereignty,” he added.
The Egyptian diplomat noted that Cairo supports the Syrian people’s right to democracy, and is keen to communicate with all Syrian parties.
The Syria crisis began in March 2011, and many people, including large numbers of government forces, have been killed so far.
The Syrian government says the West and its regional allies — especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey — are supporting the militants most of whom come from other countries.
In addition, several international human rights organizations say the militants operating in Syria have committed war crimes.
