Egypt’s FM affirms need for electing Lebanese president in meeting with parliament speaker

CAIRO – 13 November 2024: Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has underlined the importance of electing a president for Lebanon through national consensus without external dictates as he met with Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri in Beirut on Wednesday.

Abdelatty affirmed that Cairo spares no effort in its bilateral contacts or through coordination with the members of the Quintet committee for Lebanon to resolve the presidential vacuum crisis.

He emphasized that the Quintet committee's efforts aim to assist, facilitate, and bridge positions among various Lebanese parties while safeguarding the country’s national sovereignty with regard to electing a president.

During the meeting, the foreign minister underlined the Egyptian political leadership's confirmation of full support for Lebanon in the face of the Israeli aggressions and repeated violations of Lebanese sovereignty in clear breach of international law.

 

Abdelatty reiterated Egypt's position demanding respect for Lebanese sovereignty and rejecting all Israeli actions that undermine the unity and integrity of Lebanese territories.

He also condemned the Israeli army's targeting of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) as a blatant violation of Lebanese sovereignty and international law.

Furthermore, Abdelatty discussed Egypt's efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza and to halt escalation in the region.

He emphasized the need for international efforts to endorse a ceasefire and fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 by all parties.

Abdelatty also underscored the necessity of supporting Lebanese institutions, especially the Lebanese army, and providing all forms of humanitarian support to people.

The foreign minister started an official visit to Beirut today to engage in discussions with senior Lebanese officials regarding the ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Lebanon.

So far, he held meetings with Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, Lebanon's Minister of Environment Nasser Yassin and Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt.

During his meeting with the Lebanese army chief, Abdelatty highlighted the importance of enabling the Lebanese army to impose its control over the south and providing it with all forms of support.

Abdelatty also announced the delivery of the fourth Egyptian aid shipment to Lebanon during his visit, comprising 21 tons of food and essential supplies, upping the total volume of aid delivered from Egypt to Lebanon to 88 tons, according to a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry.

Meanwhile, in his meeting with Jumblatt, Abdelatty addressed the presidential vacuum issue, stressing the necessity of not excluding or marginalizing any Lebanese component.

He emphasized Egypt's support to Lebanese parties to reduce polarization and enhance societal solidarity, stressing the importance of electing a consensus president for Lebanon without external dictates.

 

CRISIS IN THE SOUTH

The Lebanese territories have experienced turmoil since the outbreak of the Israeli war in Gaza in October 2023, with Hezbollah and Israel engaging in cross-border clashes prior to Israel's incursion into southern Lebanon on October 1.

Over the past 13 months, tens of thousands of individuals in northern Israel have been displaced due to Hezbollah rocket attacks, with Israel aiming to repatriate them through the assault on Lebanon.

The intense Israeli bombardment has killed over 3,200 people in Lebanon over the past year, including 2,600 casualties since Israel initiated a severe air campaign nearly two months ago, followed by its ground invasion, as per data provided by the Lebanese health ministry.

The Israeli aggression has also led to around 1.2 million people in Lebanon being displaced from their residences.

Efforts led by the United States to broker a ceasefire in Lebanon have not yielded results to date.

While Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar indicated progress in ceasefire discussions on Monday, Israel's new Defense Minister, Israel Katz, stated on Tuesday that there would be no ceasefire in Lebanon until Israel achieves its objectives.

Speaking at a press briefing in Jerusalem, Saar mentioned that Israel is collaborating with the United States on a ceasefire but insists that Hezbollah must withdraw north of the Litani River—roughly 30 km from the border—and prevent rearmament through Syria.