“I am against war,” President Abdel Fattah El Sisi says after speculation that the Gulf region could be on the cusp of an armed confrontation with Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah, Ahmed Feteha writes for Bloomberg, reiterating remarks we carried on Thursday. “Our point of view when it comes to new troubles with either Iran or Hezbollah or any other issue is that we have to deal with great care so as not to add to the challenges and troubles of the region … We call for not increasing tensions in the region, but not at the expense of Arab and Gulf national security,” El Sisi said, calling on Iran not to meddle in Arab security. El Sisi also reiterated his support for and confidence in Saudi Arabia’s leadership.

El Sisi also said he wants to find those who are guilty for the death of Giulio Regeni, ANSA reports, adding that he believes the murder was an attempt to derail Italian investments in Egypt. “We are working in a very transparent way with the Italian authorities,” he said.

…US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson echoed El Sisi’s statements on Lebanon on Friday, calling on “all parties both within Lebanon and outside” to back off from actions that could threaten that country’s stability. Senior administration officials said that the call was directed at Saudi Arabia as well as at Iran and Hezbollah, according to the Washington Post. The statements come amid heightened tensions between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon over Hezbollah, which saw Lebanese Prime Minister Saad El Hariri resign in Riyadh. The resignation comes amid speculation by his staff and other in the Lebanese government that he is being held against his will and was forced by the Saudi government, Reuters reports. Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun called for Saudi Arabia to explain why El Hariri is allegedly being prevented from leaving Riyadh, the FT reports.