UN Chief Calls for Regional De-escalation During Cairo Visit

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for an end to the widening of regional conflicts and greater protection for civilians during his visit to Cairo, where he met Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy on Sunday, 25 October.

Guterres arrived in Egypt on Saturday, 24 October, for a three-day visit focused on regional crises, including the war in Gaza, the situations in Sudan and Libya, and diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran.

“Amid intensifying conflicts, I bring a message: we need to stop the widening of the war, protect civilians and create the political space for diplomacy and peace,” Guterres wrote on X⁠ upon his arrival.

According to the UN⁠, the visit forms part of Guterres’ ongoing diplomatic consultations to de-escalate tensions between Washington and Tehran and support a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.

Guterres Meets Arab League Chief

On Sunday, Guterres held talks with Fahmy at the Arab League’s headquarters in Cairo to discuss regional developments, diplomatic efforts to advance peace, and cooperation between the two organisations.

The discussions covered the situation in Gaza, where the ceasefire remains fragile, as well as developments in Lebanon and Syria.

According to the Arab League, Fahmy stressed the importance of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2803, preserving the unity of the occupied Palestinian territory, and continuing support for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Fahmy also warned against violations of state sovereignty in Palestine, Lebanon and Syria, while reiterating the Arab League’s rejection of Iranian attacks on neighbouring Arab states and Houthi attacks on civilian facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Lebanon was another focus of the discussions, as the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) approaches its end amid continued Israeli occupation of parts of southern Lebanon. Fahmy emphasised the need to prevent a security vacuum in the south and support the Lebanese state in extending its authority across the country.

Guterres reaffirmed his commitment to respect for international law and the UN Charter and pledged continued coordination with the Arab League.

Egypt’s Role in Regional Diplomacy

Egypt has been involved in diplomatic efforts to secure a settlement in Gaza alongside Qatar, Turkey and the United States. Cairo has also engaged with regional and international partners to help de-escalate tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Speaking before departing for Egypt, Guterres described the country as vital to resolving the Middle East crisis, particularly in defending the rights of the Palestinian people. He also highlighted the need for countries supplying weapons to parties responsible for killing civilians in Sudan to stop doing so.

The secretary-general’s visit also includes meetings with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, scheduled for Monday, 26 October. He is also due to address students and diplomats at Cairo University to mark United Nations Day, according to Ahram Online⁠.

The visit comes as Guterres approaches the end of his second term as UN secretary-general on 31 December 2026.

Guterres’ arrival coincided with United Nations Day on 24 October, which marks the anniversary of the UN Charter’s entry into force in 1945. Egypt is one of the organisation’s founding members.

UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt Gianluca Rampolla del Tindaro welcomed the secretary-general, highlighting Egypt’s longstanding commitment to multilateralism and its role as a key partner to the international organisation⁠.