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Alsharq Tribune- Gina Issa
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reiterated on Monday his country’s keenness “on supporting Lebanon’s reconstruction and consolidating its complete sovereignty.”
He received in Cairo Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, saying Egypt will continue its efforts and contacts with regional and international parties to make Israel withdraw from occupied Lebanese territories.
Aoun was in Cairo on a visit aimed at bolstering bilateral relations, especially on the economic and energy levels, as well as infrastructure and reconstruction efforts in wake of Israel’s war on Hezbollah last year.
Talks also focused on efforts to restore regional peace and security amid the major challenges at hand, said the Egyptian presidency. During a joint press conference with Aoun, Sisi noted that his visit was taking place during a “critical” and “very complicated” moment in the region.
He underlined his keenness on supporting Lebanon’s reconstruction, saying the country can benefit from Egypt’s pioneering experience. Cairo will continue to support Lebanon in achieving internal stability, preserving its sovereignty and rejecting repeated Israeli violations of its territories, he added.
Egypt continues to hold “intense contact with different regional and international parties to push Israel to withdraw immediately and unconditionally from all Lebanese territories,” he said.
It is also pressing for the full implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 that will allow the Lebanese state to impose its sovereignty across all of its territories and bolster the role of the military, Sisi stressed.
He called on the “international community to assume its responsibilities towards Lebanon’s reconstruction, urging international organizations and donors to effectively take part in this effort to ensure Lebanon’s return to its natural path in the region.”
For his part, Aoun stressed the need for Israel to commit to the ceasefire agreement reached in November and for its withdrawal from all Lebanese territories.
The agreement calls for the dismantling of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure and withdrawal of its fighters from southern Lebanon and bolstering the deployment of the Lebanese army and UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the South.
Despite the agreement, Israel continues to target Hezbollah members and has kept its forces in five Lebanese locations. Sisi and Aoun also discussed the situation in Gaza, with the Egyptian president demanding an immediate end to Israeli hostilities, a return to the ceasefire and the release of all hostages and prisoners, as well as ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid.
“Egypt and Lebanon renewed their firm support of the Palestinian cause, rejecting any attempts to displace the Palestinians and eliminate their just cause,” said the presidency statement. The leaders also discussed the situation in Syria, expressing full support to the Syrian people and for the country’s political process to be comprehensive and inclusive.
They rejected all forms of sectarianism and attempts at stoking division and condemned Israeli attacks on Syria’s sovereignty. Sisi said Aoun’s visit was a “valuable opportunity to exchange views on means to bolster cooperation between their countries, especially in trade and economic affairs.”
Relations between Egypt and Lebanon are a “unique model of true Arab fraternity,” he said. Aoun has traveled to a number of regional countries in recent weeks, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, which observers said were part of efforts to boost Lebanese relations with Arab countries and garner support for reconstruction efforts.
Member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs Mohammed Hijazi said Aoun received in Cairo support to Lebanon’s unity and sovereignty at a time when the country needs economic and political backing that Egypt is pursuing through its contacts with regional parties.
He told Asharq Al-Awsat that Egypt can use its expertise in helping Lebanon through its reconstruction process and in supporting and equipping its army. Aoun also met with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit in Cairo.
Aboul Gheit stressed the organization’s keenness and complete readiness to continue to support Lebanon to help consolidate the country’s sovereignty and bolster civil peace.
