Lebanese army must be empowered to impose control on south: Egyptian FM

CAIRO – 13 November 2024: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Badr Abdel Aty began his official visit to Beirut Wednesday by meeting Commander of the Lebanese Army General Joseph Aoun, affirming Egypt's full support to Lebanon's state institutions, precisely the Lebanese Army.

The minister commended the vital role played by the Lebanese Army in preserving the stability of Lebanon in spite of the enormous challenges. He equally condemned the Israeli aggression that violates the Lebanese sovereignty and international law.

Minister Abdel Aty gave an overview of the Egyptian contacts with regional and international parties in order to achieve an immediate ceasefire, and implement UNSC resolution no. 1701 issued in 2006 on halting hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. That is in addition to empowering the Lebanese army to impose its control on the south, providing it with all types of support.

In a related context, the minister noted that Egypt followed with concern the worsening of the internal displacement crisis in Lebanon, urging all the parties to intensify the supply of humanitarian aid to the country.

Minister Abdel Aty added that Egypt viewed the election of a president – without foreign interference - as the first step on the road of empowering and strengthening Lebanese institutions.