Egypt and Saudi Arabia agree to intensify contacts to avoid regional escalation

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan agreed Thursday to intensify contacts to prioritize negotiations and avert escalation.

• Abdelatty and Faisal bin Farhan spoke by phone on Thursday to coordinate on ongoing regional developments.
• The ministers agreed to intensify contacts with concerned parties to reach consensus on prioritizing negotiations and refraining from escalatory steps.
• Foreign Ministry spokesman Nader Zaki said the two discussed efforts to restore calm with partners including the United States and Qatar.
• The ministers stressed the need to elevate dialogue and give more time to diplomacy to avert renewed military confrontations.