Sisi, Aoun advocate for two-state solution
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi affirmed Egypt’s intensified diplomatic engagements with regional and international stakeholders, emphasizing the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Israeli forces from all Lebanese territories. Speaking at a joint press conference on Monday with visiting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, President Sisi underscored the necessity for Israel to respect the cessation of hostilities agreement and fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, mandating the deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River.
President Sisi highlighted that his meeting with President Aoun provided an invaluable opportunity to exchange perspectives on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the economic and trade sectors. He noted that President Aoun’s visit, occurring amidst highly intricate regional dynamics, underscores the profound and robust nature of Egyptian-Lebanese relations across all levels and reflects the close affinity between the two nations and their governments.
Reiterating Egypt’s steadfast commitment to Lebanon’s internal stability and the preservation of its sovereignty, President Sisi expressed Egypt’s unequivocal condemnation of repeated Israeli violations against Lebanese territories. He further affirmed Egypt’s strong dedication to supporting Lebanon’s reconstruction endeavors.
The discussions between the two leaders extended to critical regional issues, prominently including the situation in Syria. Both presidents reiterated their unwavering support for the Syrian people and advocated for a comprehensive and inclusive political process during the transitional phase in the country, while emphasizing the continued efforts to combat terrorism. They also jointly condemned the repeated Israeli attacks on Syria, urging Israel to withdraw from the occupied Syrian territories and to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Addressing the escalating situation in the Gaza Strip, President Sisi underscored the imperative of ending the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian enclave, reinstating the ceasefire agreement, facilitating the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and ensuring unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to address the urgent needs of the Gazan population.
President Sisi and President Aoun reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause and unequivocally rejected any attempts aimed at the displacement of Palestinians or the dissolution of their legitimate aspirations. They jointly called upon the international community to mobilize the requisite resources for the implementation of the Gaza reconstruction plan and to empower the Palestinian Authority to effectively govern Gaza. They also emphasized the importance of expanding international recognition of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, asserting that this remains the sole pathway to achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
In conclusion, President Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s enduring commitment to stand firmly by Lebanon in maintaining its stability and sovereignty.
