UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for dialogue and diplomacy to end the war between Iran and the United States in remarks to journalists in Cairo on Monday, UN News reported. He was speaking alongside Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty following meetings focused on crises in the Middle East and Africa.

Source: UN News, Oct 26

"I want to send a loud and clear message to the parties. We need maximum restraint and diplomatic solutions," Guterres said, according to UN News. "If the sabre-rattling we are witnessing now translates itself into a major escalation, the situation in the region can get out of control."

Source: UN News, Oct 26

Navigational rights and freedoms must be fully restored in and around the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the mouth of the Red Sea — critical maritime corridors for global trade — he said, commending Egypt for its mediation role in helping to create the conditions for dialogue between the sides, UN News reported.

Source: UN News, Oct 26

Meeting with President Sisi

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called on Monday for a just settlement of the Palestinian issue and comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council during his meeting with Guterres, Anadolu reported, citing a presidency statement. Sisi stressed the importance of strengthening the UN's role and restoring confidence in the multilateral system through adherence to the UN Charter, and underlined the need to reform the Security Council to reflect international balances, with stronger African representation.

Source: Anadolu via Cumhuriyet Daily, Oct 26

Guterres welcomed Egyptian efforts to consolidate the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and praised Cairo's role in facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid, Anadolu reported. Lasting peace could not be achieved without a just settlement of the Palestinian issue, which would remain the central issue in the Middle East until a final solution is reached, he said, according to the statement. He also praised Egypt's efforts to prevent escalation in the Gulf, saying there was an opportunity to reach understandings that could help ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and address Iran's nuclear programme through peaceful means.

Source: Anadolu via Cumhuriyet Daily, Oct 26

Gaza aid and alarm over the West Bank

On Gaza, Guterres expressed profound appreciation for Egypt's indispensable role in mediation and humanitarian efforts since the beginning of the conflict, commended support for life-saving aid and medical evacuations, and called for Israeli restrictions on humanitarian assistance to be lifted and obstacles blocking implementation of the UN Security Council-endorsed comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict to be removed, UN News reported. "Civilians must be protected and international law must be respected," he said.

Source: UN News, Oct 26

The UN chief said he was also deeply alarmed by Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank, pointing to expanding settlements, "unrelenting" evictions, surging violence, and assaults and attacks against journalists and diplomats, UN News reported. "We are seeing an increasingly coercive environment with the spectre of ethnic cleansing looming ever larger. This must end," he said, adding that there can be no durable peace without the Palestinian people's legitimate rights to self-determination, upholding the two-state solution.

Source: UN News, Oct 26

"Egypt is a pillar of multilateralism," Guterres said. "And at a time when divisions are deepening, it is critical to keep the channels of diplomacy open." He said he has come back repeatedly "because when this region and our world have faced some of the most difficult moments, Egypt has consistently worked to open space for diplomacy," UN News reported. The talks with Sisi also covered the Horn of Africa, Sudan and Libya, with both sides stressing resolving conflicts through peaceful means and respecting international law, Anadolu reported.

Source: UN News, Oct 26; Anadolu via Cumhuriyet Daily, Oct 26