Shoukry criticizes use of UN Human Rights Council for political ends: Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry was in Geneva yesterday for a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council, where he said that some have begun to use the council to settle political scores, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry. Shoukry also attended yesterday the Geneva Arms Conference, where he said that the efforts of the convention have been stagnating, the ministry said.

Shoukry sat down with CNBC yesterday, giving his two cents on Egypt’s economic reforms and proposed amendments to the constitution that could see President Abdel Fattah El Sisi serve a longer term in office (watch, runtime: 1:40). “The president has been very effective over the first and second terms, creating stability and security,” Shoukry said, responding to a question about the proposals to extend President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s term limit.

Shoukry also commented on the ongoing protests in Sudan, telling Reuters that Egypt is willing to give the government support if necessary. “We believe that the Sudanese and Egyptian peoples have a common history and a common future,” he said. “Definitely anything that disrupts the security, stability and prosperity of the Sudanese people is of utmost concern to us.” Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir yesterday ordered the establishment of emergency courts across the country to clamp down on the continuing demonstrations against his rule.

In other political news, Turkey continues its whining: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is still throwing his toys out of the pram over the EU-Arab League summit, accusing the EU of hypocrisy for attending an event hosted by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, the New York Times said.