Egypt is pushing for a UN Security Council resolution “as soon as possible” to establish a peacekeeping force in Gaza, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told The National.
In an interview in Aswan, Mr Abdelatty laid out the foundations of the International Stabilisation Force and the main mandate of the proposed Board of Peace, which is to monitor the flow of aid funds.
He said, however, that “it will not be acceptable to have foreigners” running Gaza, insisting that the mission of the force and the Board of Peace should be to provide support for Palestinians to run their own affairs.
“We need first to have a Security Council resolution as soon as possible to endorse this plan and also to give legitimacy for this ISF, the International Stabilisation Force, and to identify its own mandate and its own mission,” said Mr Abdelatty.
“This is very, very important,” he emphasised, adding that Egypt is “standing ready to participate in all formats but within specific parameters” to be detailed in the Security Council resolution through a “clear-cut mandate”.
Sources told The National earlier that Cairo is expected to lead a four-nation Gaza stabilisation force made up of at least 4,000 troops from Egypt, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Indonesia.
Already, the sources said, it has been decided that the force will not have heavy weapons and will rely mainly on light firearms and armoured vehicles. It would initially be deployed in areas from which Israel's military had withdrawn under the first phase of US President Donald Trump's plan.
“The mission should be peacekeeping, not peace-enforcing,” said Mr Abdelatty.
He explained that the force – as well as the Board of Peace that Mr Trump will lead, alongside other politicians such as former British prime minister Tony Blair – should also assist in providing basic services to the people in Gaza and support for the police officers through training and capacity building.
“It will not be acceptable, of course, to have foreigners running Gaza,” he added.
Keeping the US engaged
Mr Abdelatty said the Board of Peace is there to provide support, liaise with Israel, and “monitor the flow of money and funds for the humanitarian aid and the reconstruction of Gaza”.
“This money will come from donors, and they have the full right to make sure that there is a monitoring mechanism and supervision where the money will be spent,” he said.
While the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement has been largely implemented, the situation on the ground remains complex. Attention is now turning to the second phase, which would focus on the break-up of Hamas, ensuring Israel’s full withdrawal and determining Gaza’s governance, but worries over a collapse of the truce have emerged in recent days.
Israel and Hamas have accused each other of breaking the deal. At least 44 people were killed in dozens of Israeli air strikes across Gaza on Sunday, shattering a week of relative calm since Mr Trump’s truce was announced.
Israel said the series of strikes was provoked by Hamas militants firing gunshots and an anti-tank missile at its troops in Rafah, in southern Gaza, an attack that the group denied carrying out. The Israeli military said two soldiers were killed.
Many fear the escalating distrust could derail the agreement. Egypt, along with the US, Qatar and Turkey, has served as a key mediator between Israel and Hamas throughout the war.
“The challenges are there, but it’s all about both parties fulfilling their commitments, and, above all, keeping the Americans engaged. That's why we are in daily contact with them,” said Mr Abdelatty.
“We have to engage with the Americans because this is the main guarantee for the implementation of the Trump peace plan. And the only guarantee to make sure that the parties will uphold to their own commitments is the involvement and the engagement of President Trump himself as well as the United States.
“Without American involvement, without President Trump's involvement, it would have been very difficult to leverage [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and Israel to put an end to this aggression and the war on Gaza.”
‘Only game in town’
Last week, political leaders from around the world convened in the Egyptian leisure resort of Sharm El Sheikh for a ceremony to sign the ceasefire deal in Gaza. Mr Trump declared “peace in the Middle East” at the summit. The deal paused more than two years of war in Gaza that killed more than 68,000 Palestinians in Israeli attacks and left much of the enclave in ruins.
Under the agreement, Hamas must hand over all remaining Israeli hostages – living and dead. About 15 of 28 bodies are still to be returned. Israel blames Hamas for not doing enough to retrieve them, while Hamas says it is facing challenges in recovering all the bodies.
"The issue of the return of the remains of the deceased bodies is ongoing. It's not easy because you have huge debris and explosive devices, and that's why it will take some time,” said Mr Abdelatty.
“The second phase will be more complicated. But we have no other option. This is the only game in town. We will do everything in our power to start the negotiations for the second phase as well as to make them successful."
A Hamas delegation, led by chief negotiator Khalil Al Hayya, arrived in Cairo on Sunday to follow up on the implementation of the ceasefire deal with mediators and other Palestinian groups, Hamas said in a statement.
Mr Abdelatty noted that a conference on the early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, which Egypt will host in November, will be “of great importance”.
“[It will be an] international conference under the co-chairmanship of Egypt and the United States – with full participation of many countries, including Italy, Germany, France, Spain, the European Union, the Gulf Co-operation Council, Japan, the United Nations and the World Bank,” he added. “We need to create more facts on the ground to make the option of returning to war more difficult.”
Asked whether Hamas would ultimately agree to disarm, Mr Abdelatty said: “There are obligations on both sides, and they have agreed to implement them. Hamas accepted the Trump peace plan and welcomed it.”
He said Israel, which has been using aid and food as bargaining chips in its negotiating strategy, must also meet its commitments, “especially regarding withdrawal from agreed lines and allowing the flow of humanitarian and medical aid, as well as construction materials”.
Mr Abdelatty noted that the number of aid lorries entering Gaza had increased. “We are pushing very hard to allow more trucks,” he said. “We need to flood Gaza with food and humanitarian supplies. We have nearly 50,000 injured people in Gaza who need urgent medical attention.”
Lebanon and Sudan
On Lebanon, Mr Abdelatty said Egypt has “full confidence in the leadership and wisdom” of President Joseph Aoun and “full faith” in Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s government. “They are moving in the right direction, and we believe that this is a very important opportunity,” he added.
Lebanon is under heavy pressure to disarm non-state actors, including the powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah. This month, army commander Gen Rodolphe Haykal briefed the Lebanese government on efforts to disarm the militant group, a month after the cabinet approved the plan.
Israel has kept up regular strikes in Lebanon on what it says are Hezbollah targets despite a ceasefire reached last year, and has maintained its troops in five locations it deems strategic.
“We have, first of all, to end the Israeli occupation of the five locations in south Lebanon in order not to give any excuse for any party to say that we have to be there to fight and end the occupation,” said Mr Abdelatty.
"I had a very long discussion in Sharm El Sheikh with [US special envoy] Tom Barrack on that, and he is in agreement with me that the starting point is to put an end to the Israeli occupation" and violations of Lebanese airspace as well as releasing Lebanese detainees. He said Egypt is providing full support and training to the Lebanese army.
Another conflict in which Egypt is invested in helping to end is the war in Sudan. In September, at the invitation of the US, foreign ministers of the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE, known as the Quad, engaged in extensive consultations on the war. The new peace proposal called for an initial three-month truce followed by a return to civilian rule in which the Muslim Brotherhood is kept out of power.
The Egyptian official said he hopes the upcoming Quad conference will deliver tangible results. He did not specify when the meeting will be held.
“The Quad declaration of the 12th of September provided a road map for settling the conflict in Sudan through having humanitarian troops leading to a ceasefire, which will pave the way for an inclusive, transparent and comprehensive political process under Sudanese ownership,” he said. “We cannot tolerate having the whole city of El Fasher under siege for more than 550 days."
El Fasher, a city held by the Sudanese armed forces, has been besieged by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since May 2024. Tens of thousands of residents have fled shelling.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The specs: 2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410
Price, base / as tested Dh395,000 / Dh420,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission Six-speed manual
Power 410hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 420Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.7L / 100km
Red Sparrow
Dir: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Egerton, Charlotte Rampling, Jeremy Irons
Three stars
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The Limehouse Golem
Director: Juan Carlos Medina
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, Douglas Booth
Three stars
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
No Shame
Lily Allen
(Parlophone)
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
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When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
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How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
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Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need
Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman
Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs
Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
