Egypt’s FM discusses Lebanese presidential vacuum with Druze leader Jumblatt

CAIRO – 13 November 2024: Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty discussed the presidential vacuum crisis with Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt in a meeting in Beirut, affirming the necessity of not excluding or marginalizing any Lebanese component.

During their meeting on Wednesday, Abdelatty emphasized that Egypt is supporting the Lebanese sides to reduce polarization and enhance social cohesion, emphasizing the importance of electing a consensus president for Lebanon without external dictates.

Abdelatty emphasized Egypt's continued support for Lebanon, both its government and people, in confronting the brutal Israeli aggression. He discussed Egypt's persistent efforts aimed at achieving an immediate ceasefire and ending the war on Lebanon.

He stressed the importance of full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 by all parties without selectivity, ensuring an end to attacks on Lebanese sovereignty and stopping Israeli violations of Lebanese territories.

The foreign minister reiterated Egypt's firm rejection of attempts to impose displacement and forced migration on residents of entire areas of Lebanon.

He highlighted that Egypt continues to provide Lebanon with relief and humanitarian assistance via airlift, emphasizing the delivery of the fourth shipment of aid today as a practical manifestation of Egypt's commitment to supporting Lebanon on humanitarian and political levels.

 

BEIRUT VISIT AMID ESCALATION

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 Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri.

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 Berri, Abdelatty said 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.

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.

CEASEFIRE ENDEAVORS

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.