Erdogan teases Meloni on smoking at Sharm el-Sheikh summit as global leaders meet to discuss Gaza peace and stability. Photo: X.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan greeted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a light-hearted exchange upon her arrival at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit in Egypt. Erdogan said, “I saw you coming down from the plane. You look great. But I have to make you stop smoking.”
Meloni responded with a laugh, acknowledging the concern, “I know, I know. I don’t want to kill somebody.”
Erdogan, who flew to Egypt, arrived with his delegation at the International Convention Center in Sharm el-Sheikh, where the summit on the Gaza ceasefire agreement is being held.
Heads of state and senior officials from multiple countries have gathered in Egypt to participate in the high-level meeting aimed at advancing peace in Gaza.
Egyptian President Sisi personally welcomed several leaders, including:
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
Jordan’s King Abdullah II
Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
Other notable attendees arriving at the summit venue included:
French President Emmanuel Macron
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
Pakistani Prime Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan
Additionally, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit were present.
More than 20 world leaders are expected to take part in the Sharm el-Sheikh summit, co-chaired by President Sisi and US President Donald Trump.
Israel and Hamas will not participate directly, with Israel rejecting any role for the internationally backed Palestinian Authority in Gaza. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, however, is attending as part of the international efforts.
Egypt has stated that the summit’s objective is “to end the war in Gaza, enhance efforts to bring peace and stability to the Middle East, and usher in a new phase of regional security and stability.”
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
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