Mohamed al-Orabi's told Youm7 of the policies that he will pursue during his tenure as Egypt's Foreign Minister. The declarations revealed that priority will be given to national interests. The new Minister announced that Egypt's foreign policy will depend on a number of factors. The first is to pursue a bit of diplomacy based on Egypt's historic and cultural position that allows the establishment of strong relations with countries all over the world. The second factor includes restoring Egypt's position in Africa and developing Egypt's relations with the countries of the Nile Basin. Although many observers said that al-Orabi will lean towards the West, the new Minister said that Egypt's interest is what will determine his actions. The third factor of Orabi's foreign priorities is keeping positive relations with the U.S. and Europe. In fact, this was what prompted many critics to claim that Orabi came to ease the repercussions of the permanent opening of the Rafah crossing, curb Egypt's relation with Iran and contain the Palestinian ambition of gaining UN recognition of the Palestinian state. The main obstacle that al-Orabi will face is to achieve a balance between Egypt's foreign and the interests of the Egyptian citizens, especially that national interests often contradict with foreign policies. Israeli newspapers began a campaign to break the image of the new Egyptian Minister. Yediot Ahronot said that al-Orabi served in the Egyptian embassy in Israel from 1994 to 1998, and that he strongly supports the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. The Israeli newspaper prepared a report in which it went over the main parts of al-Orabi's journey during the last 35 years. It should be noted that al-Orabi managed to push forwards relations between Egypt and Germany during his term as Egypt's ambassador to Berlin. He also served as the assistant Foreign Minister for economic affairs. Yediot Ahronot also highlighted Israeli anxiety that al-Orabi will pursue the policies that were adopted by his predecessor, Dr. Nabil al-Araby. Al-Araby will take office as the Secretary General of the Arab League in July 1.
