Egypt reaffirms steadfast support for Lebanon amid growing regional escalation

CAIRO – 8 October 2024: Badr Abdel-Aty, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, received a phone call today from Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French President's special envoy to Lebanon.

The discussion focused on the rapidly evolving regional developments in Lebanon and the urgent need for increased coordination and consultation to contain the current escalation in the region.

Ambassador Tamim Khlaif, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reported that Minister Abdel-Aty warned that the current pace of escalation in the region necessitates collective efforts for swift intervention to halt the ongoing conflict and ceasefire in Lebanon. He emphasized the need to prevent further regional escalation, requiring diligent efforts to de-escalate and urging all parties to exercise restraint.

The minister also highlighted Egypt's persistent efforts to achieve a ceasefire and resolve the ongoing presidential vacancy, firmly rejecting any infringement on Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Additionally, the Foreign Minister stressed the importance of ramping up urgent humanitarian and relief aid to the Lebanese people while empowering national institutions, particularly the Lebanese Armed Forces. He underscored the necessity for all parties to adhere to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 in all its aspects.

Minister Abdel-Aty further affirmed that a ceasefire in Gaza, unrestricted access to humanitarian aid within the territory, and halting Israeli assaults in the West Bank are essential for averting severe escalation in the region and preventing it from slipping into an all-out war.