Egypt FM visits Lebanon, says Cairo making major efforts to halt escalation
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met Thursday with President Joseph Aoun and said he conveyed to him a message from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi affirming "the full solidarity of Egypt and its leadership, government and people with Lebanon in these difficult circumstances."
He stressed that "Egypt strongly condemns the daily Israeli violations that infringe upon Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and emphasizes the importance of implementing U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and the complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory."
He also affirmed "Egypt's readiness to meet all of Lebanon's needs."
"We have brought with us a shipment of humanitarian, medical, and food aid to support the Lebanese people, especially the displaced," he said.
He noted that "the internal displacement crisis is a major concern, but we are confident in the cohesion of the Lebanese people and in maintaining civil peace in the face of challenges."
Abdelatty added: "I also conveyed Egypt's full political and diplomatic support for Lebanon, as Cairo is making intensive efforts with various regional and international parties, including the United States and France, to reduce the escalation and stop the attacks."
He stressed his country's "complete rejection of the ground incursion and Israeli violations that contravene international law," calling for "their immediate cessation."
He also emphasized that "Egypt continues its contacts with all parties, within the framework of seeking a ceasefire and preventing the region from sliding into widespread chaos," underscoring "the need to support the Lebanese state and its institutions, foremost among them the Lebanese army, to impose state sovereignty and confine weapons to its hands."
Source: Naharnet
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