Egyptian, Russian FMs discuss recent escalation in Middle East

CAIRO, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) — Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov discussed on Sunday the recent escalation in the Middle East.
During a phone conversation, the two ministers discussed the efforts made to de-escalate the situation in a way that preserved the region’s security, stability and the interests of its people, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The two diplomats also discussed ways to avoid slipping into a vicious circle of regional confrontations, the statement said, adding that they also exchanged views on issues of common interest.
Concerns heightened over possible regional escalation following the alleged Israeli assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh early Wednesday when his residence in Tehran was hit, as well as the alleged Israeli attack on Dahieh in Beirut’s southern suburbs, which resulted in the deaths of a senior Hezbollah military commander Fouad Shokor and seven civilians. ■