Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed Cairo’s “full support” for Lebanon’s efforts to assert exclusive state control over weapons during an official visit to Beirut on Wednesday.
After talks with President Joseph Aoun, Abdelatty underscored Egypt’s backing for the president’s latest Independence Day initiative, under which he affirmed that the Lebanese Army is ready to assume control of the five strategic positions held by Israel in the south.
“We are making intensive efforts to spare Lebanon any risks that threaten its security and safety,” Abdelatty said, adding that Egypt views Lebanon’s stability as integral to its own. He also reiterated Cairo’s commitment to the “full implementation” of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
He said President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi instructed him to mobilize all possible support for Lebanon, including leveraging Egypt’s regional ties to uphold the cessation of hostilities and prevent potential escalation.
Abdelatty added that Cairo is actively engaging with regional and international stakeholders to advance a political resolution and reduce tensions. He noted that his visit follows a recent phone call between al-Sisi and Aoun focused on regional developments.
He praised the Lebanese state and army for their efforts to maintain stability in the south, saying their actions “should be appreciated by all, as we do.”
Abdelatty’s trip to Beirut comes shortly after his November 22 meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. According to media reports, his visit aims to present a proposed de-escalation mechanism to avert a potential Israeli escalation in Lebanon and to support the withdrawal of Israeli forces from specific positions in the south in exchange for the disarmament of armed groups.
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