Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi affirmed on Monday his country’s unwavering support for Lebanon—both in achieving internal stability and safeguarding its full sovereignty—while strongly condemning Israel's repeated violations of Lebanese territory and its ongoing occupation of parts of the country.
اضافة اعلان
During a joint press conference with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo, President El-Sisi stated that Egypt is intensifying its efforts and communications with various regional and international stakeholders to pressure Israel into an immediate and unconditional withdrawal from all Lebanese territories. He emphasized the importance of fully implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701 without selectivity and respecting the ceasefire agreement to enable the Lebanese state to assert its sovereignty—especially by empowering the Lebanese army to enforce authority south of the Litani River.
Rebuilding Lebanon
El-Sisi called on the international community to assume responsibility for Lebanon's reconstruction and urged international organizations and donors to actively participate in the recovery effort, aiming to restore Lebanon to a path of peace, coexistence, and prosperity.
“Egypt will always stand by Lebanon, Mr. President, and alongside the Lebanese government, in every effort to preserve Lebanon’s stability and sovereignty in a way that meets the aspirations of its noble people,” he added. “Let us work together to enhance our bilateral relations in all areas, so Lebanon can reclaim its historic role as a beacon of culture and enlightenment in the Levant and the Arab world.”
El-Sisi also highlighted the longstanding cultural and historical ties between Egypt and Lebanon, dating back to ancient times, including interactions between ancient Egyptians and Phoenicians, and noted Egypt was among the first to establish relations with Lebanon in the 1940s.
Regional Files
The two leaders discussed key regional issues, particularly the situation in Gaza. They reiterated the need to end the ongoing aggression, resume ceasefire efforts, and ensure the release of all hostages and detainees. They also emphasized the urgent need to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza to meet the needs of innocent civilians.
Both presidents reaffirmed their steadfast support for the Palestinian cause and firmly rejected any attempts to displace Palestinians or undermine their legitimate rights.
President El-Sisi urged the international community to mobilize resources for the reconstruction of Gaza without displacing its people. He called for empowering the Palestinian Authority to return to Gaza and stressed the importance of expanding international recognition of the Palestinian state, based on the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. He affirmed this is the only path to achieving lasting peace and regional stability.
The Syrian Crisis
Talks also addressed the ongoing situation in Syria. President El-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s full support for the Syrian people and emphasized the need for an inclusive political process during the transitional phase. He also stressed the importance of continuing counterterrorism efforts and rejecting sectarianism or division.
He condemned Israel’s repeated violations of Syrian sovereignty and called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Syrian territories, reaffirming the need to respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
The two presidents held a closed-door meeting followed by expanded talks attended by delegations from both countries. Discussions focused on enhancing bilateral ties, especially in areas such as the economy, infrastructure, energy, and reconstruction efforts. They also explored mechanisms to support Lebanon’s stability and restore peace and security in the region amid escalating challenges.
President El-Sisi warmly welcomed President Joseph Aoun, describing his visit to Egypt as symbolically significant and reflective of the deep-rooted and strategic relationship between the two countries. He said Egypt and Lebanon have long represented a model of true Arab brotherhood.
He added that the visit comes at a critical juncture in a highly complex regional environment, reaffirming the strong and enduring bond between the two nations. “Our talks today were a valuable opportunity to exchange views on ways to enhance cooperation between our countries, particularly in economic and trade fields. We confirmed our commitment to supporting Lebanon’s reconstruction efforts by leveraging Egypt’s leading expertise in this domain,” El-Sisi concluded.
