Egypt affirms to Lebanon the need for ending presidential vacuum

CAIRO – 14 November 2024: Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty has affirmed the importance of resolving the presidential vacuum file in Lebanon through achieving national consensus without external interference.

Abdelatty also emphasized support for Lebanese institutions as he met with Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati during his visit to Beirut on Wednesday.

During the meeting, the foreign minister affirmed support for Lebanon and strong condemnation of Israeli attacks on the Lebanese territories, emphasizing Egypt's commitment to preserving Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Abdelatty highlighted to Mikati Egyptian efforts to reach immediate ceasefires in Lebanon and Gaza as a key to de-escalation in the region.

He mentioned Egypt’s ongoing communications with regional and international parties to halt Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty and to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, including empowering the Lebanese army and its return to the south.

Abdelatty emphasized Egypt's full support for Lebanese state institutions, particularly the Lebanese army as the primary institution capable of maintaining security and stability in Lebanon.

AIDING LEBANON

The foreign minister highlighted Egypt's concern over the escalating internal displacement crisis in Lebanon and its repercussions, pointing to Egypt's contacts with various regional and international actors to increase humanitarian aid to Lebanon.

He stressed Egypt's continued provision of all forms of support to Lebanon and its fraternal people under these critical circumstances to address the humanitarian consequences.

Mikati expressed his appreciation for President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s continuous support to Lebanon on political and humanitarian levels.

The Lebanese prime minister commended Egypt's solidarity with Lebanon in this critical juncture and for providing a new shipment of humanitarian aid on Wednesday.

Egypt's FM Badr Abdelatty oversees the delivery of the fourth humanitarian aid shipment to Lebanon on Wednesday - Egypt's MFA

Abdelatty embarked on an official visit to Beirut yesterday to send a message of support to the Lebanese state amid the ongoing Israeli aggression and engage in discussions with senior Lebanese officials regarding the ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire.

DIPLOMATIC, HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS

During the visit, Abdelatty held meetings with Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah BouHabib, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, Minister of Environment Nasser Yassin, and Druze leader Walid Jumblatt.

He also phoned Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, the Lebanese Grand Mufti, and Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, the Patriarch of the Maronite Church in Lebanon.

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

As he departs back to Egypt, Abdelatty accompanied 294 nationals from Beirut to return them to homeland amid Israeli war in Lebanon.

 

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.

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.

Abdelatty also discussed the presidential vacuum crisis with Jumblatt, affirming the necessity of not excluding or marginalizing any Lebanese component.

 

ESCALATING ATTACKS

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.