Egypt tells US it rejects Israel's grab of buffer zone in Syria

By Ibrahim al-Khazen

ISTANBUL (AA) - Egypt said Wednesday that it conveyed to the US its rejection of Israel’s seizure of the buffer zone in Syria’s occupied Golan Heights.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty received a phone call from his US counterpart Antony Blinken during which they agreed on the importance of adopting "an inclusive political process" in Syria with the participation of all parties to restore stability, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s rejection of Israel’s grab of Syria’s buffer zone and other positions.

“These moves constitute an occupation of Syrian territory and a blatant violation of its sovereignty, and represent a breach of international law," he added.

Abdelatty stressed Egypt’s support for the Syrian state, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the statement said.

The Israeli army on Sunday seized control of the demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights, saying the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria had "collapsed."

Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus early Sunday, ending the Baath Party rule, which had been in power since 1963.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar