It was a diplomacy-heavy night on the airwaves last night, with the nation’s talking heads dedicating significant airtime to Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry’s trips to Syria and Turkey, and Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly’s visit to Doha.

Everyone was talking about Shoukry’s visit to Damascus and Adana yesterday, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid phoning in to the shows to talk about the significance of the visits.

The main message behind the visit? Solidarity with “our brothers in Syria and Turkey” in the wake of the deadly earthquake, Abu Zeid told Ala Mas’ouleety, rejecting the suggestion that the meeting touched on Syria’s potential to return to the Arab League (watch, runtime: 11:35). Abu Zeid made similar statements on Al Hayah Al Youm (watch, runtime: 6:12) and Masa’a DMC (watch, runtime: 3:44).

El Hekaya described the visit to Turkey as unprecedented between the once arch-foes, and highlighted a “hug” between Shoukry and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (watch, runtime: 3:25). “The earthquake has accelerated [reconciliation] efforts. Did you ever imagine Shoukry actually going there?” he said. Kelma Akhira also highlighted the visits (watch, runtime: 6:25).

^^ We have the full story in this morning’s Diplomacy section, below.

Madbouly’s visit to Qatar also got special attention: Kelma Akhira’s Lamis El Hadidi noted the ongoing talks between the Qatari sovereign wealth fund and Egypt for the potential USD 2 bn acquisition of 20-30% “or perhaps the whole 45% stake” in Vodafone Egypt owned by Telecom Egypt. (watch, runtime: 2:46). The Qatar Investment Authority also has its eyes on managing and operating ports at Sokhna and Safaga, she noted.

His touchdown in Doha yesterday is the first by an Egyptian PM in nearly a decade, Cabinet spokesman Nader Saad told Ala Mas’ouleety’s Ahmed Moussa (watch, runtime: 16:51). Political and economic issues dominated discussions during the visit which will conclude today, he added.

^^ We have the full story in this morning’s news well, above.

ALSO GETTING A MENTION- The extension of the expat car import scheme, which yesterday received preliminary approval from MPs (see this morning’s Legislation Watch, above, for more). House Planning and Budget Committee Deputy Chairman Yasser Omar made an appearance on Kelma Akhira to talk about the amendments (watch, runtime: 14:55).

AND- Amr Adib continued to focus on Zamalek FC’s post-Mortada Mansour future: Sports Ministry spokesperson Mohamed El Shazly said Mansour cannot return to chair the club given that his membership has been revoked following the final verdict (watch, runtime: 6:57).