ISTANBUL

Qatar and Egypt on Friday called for restraint and a peaceful resolution to escalating clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as cross-border fighting left dozens dead and wounded on both sides.

Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi held a phone call with Ishaq Dar, Pakistan's deputy prime minister and foreign minister, according to a statement from Qatar’s Foreign Ministry.

Separately, al-Khulaifi held a phone call with Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

Al-Khulaifi reaffirmed Qatar’s full support for efforts to resolve disputes through peaceful means and strengthen regional and international stability, the ministry said in two separate statements.

He discussed with both ministers ways to de-escalate tensions in a manner that enhances security and stability in the region.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry expressed “deep concern” over the escalating tensions and border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

In a statement, Cairo urged all parties to exercise “the utmost restraint” and stressed the importance of exhausting all possible diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis and prevent the region from sliding into further escalation.

Egypt underscored “the primacy of political and diplomatic solutions” to settle disputes in a way that safeguards regional security and stability.

As part of those efforts, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a phone call Friday with Dar, according to the Egyptian statement.

During the call, Abdelatty received a detailed briefing from his Pakistani counterpart on recent developments and expressed Egypt’s “deep concern” over the latest escalation, calling for calm and restraint to help reduce tensions and avert further instability in the region.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have seen fierce clashes since Thursday night.

At least 24 people were killed, including four civilians, 12 Pakistani soldiers, and eight Afghan troops across the border.

Kabul on Thursday announced it launched border attacks against Pakistan over airstrikes on Sunday by Islamabad inside Afghanistan, which left many dead. Pakistan responded with heavy fire and fresh airstrikes in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia provinces early Friday.

*Writing by Lina Altawell