Pompeo speaks to Saudi, Egyptian counterparts on regional issues

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a phone call to his Saudi Arabian counterpart, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, to discuss regional issues. (File/AFP)

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hosts a bilateral meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, at the Department of State. (File/US Embassy in Egypt)

• Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Pompeo reviewed G20 efforts
• Pompeo, Shoukry discussed Libya and Middle East peace process

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call on Sunday with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
During the call, they discussed bilateral relations and the strategic partnership between the two countries, Saudi Press Agency reported.
They also discussed joint coordination on dealing with regional and international developments, and the position of both countries regarding them.
They also reviewed the efforts of the G20 countries, of which the Kingdom holds this year’s presidency and is set to host the annual summit on Nov. 21-22.
Pompeo also held a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry to discuss the “dimensions of their bilateral strategic relations,” as well as a number of regional and international issues of common interest, Egypt’s state-run MENA said.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Ahmed Hafez said the two ministers also emphasized their common grounds in many regional and international issues.
Among them was the Libyan crisis, where Shoukry said that his country was communicating with various Libyan parties to implement the cease-fire and preserve the unity of Libya and its institutions.
Shoukry also said Egypt supports the Palestinian-Israeli peace process based on a two-state solution.
Hafez said that Shukri and Pompeo stressed the need for continued coordination on all issues of interest to Egypt and the US during the coming period, “especially in light of the challenges and the multiple crises afflicting the region.”