On Wednesday, January 31^st2018, the meeting was attended by Ambassador Dr. Mounir Zahran, Chair of the Council, Ambassador Dr. Ezzat Saad, Director of the Council, and Ambassador Dr. Hussein Hassouna, member of the Council, together with a delegation of representatives of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, consisting of General Kristin LunD, Head of Mission, Judy Hyltn, Nils Vindeson and David Foley.

General Christine confirmed that the headquarters of the Authority is the city of East Jerusalem and its branch is located in Egypt in the city of Ismailia. She stated that the mission was the only one in the Middle East to monitor all cease-fire agreements between the five countries; Israel, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan with observers in the Golan and the southern part of Lebanon. The other task is to support the countries concerned and to speak with the authorities and governments, not just the armies but the actors, which requires the need for further consultation with experts on regional developments, particularly the peace process, is essential for the visit of the Council, especially as the Council has an independent vision of transparency and clarity.

She also stressed that during the delegation’s meeting with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they assured them:

• Egypt’s first priority is to combat terrorism, followed by the Iranian role in the region, then the repercussions of the American decision to transfer the US Embassy to Jerusalem, and the impact on the Palestinian cause.

• The declaration of East Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has hampered the peace process. All parties must cooperate to avoid further conflict within the region, all borders of all the countries of the region must be preserved, work to develop a comprehensive approach to terrorism and reform of religious discourse, and finally work and coordinate with all the United Nations to activate its role on the ground.

• The United States can’t be excluded from the peace process, although Washington can be integrated into a body of the five permanent members of the United Nations under the auspices of the United Nations to take care of the peace process.