Minister of Foreign, International Co-operation and Egyptians Abroad, Badr Abdel-Aati, held phone talks on Thursday with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in which he discussed the grave Israeli escalation in Lebanon.
Minister Abdel-Aati expressed Egypt’s strong condemnation of the “brutal Israeli aggression against Lebanon, which has struck multiple areas across the country and resulted in hundreds of deaths and injuries,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tamim Khallaf said.
He also affirmed Egypt’s complete rejection of any infringement on Lebanon’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.In addition, the foreign minister stressed that the continued targeting of infrastructure and civilian facilities in Lebanon “constitutes a grave escalation and a blatant violation of the international humanitarian law and norms,” Spokesman Khallaf added.
“It is also a grave breach of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, threatening to expand the scope of the conflict and undermine security and stability across the entire region,” the Egyptian chief diplomat said.
Minister Abdel-Aati underscored the need for an immediate halt to military escalation, warning of the risks of further deterioration that could lead to serious consequences.
Moreover, Minister Abdel-Aati reaffirmed Egypt’s full solidarity with Lebanon at this critical juncture, and stressed Cairo’s support for empowering the Lebanese national institutions and their efforts to extend sovereignty over all Lebanese territory and strengthen their role in maintaining security and stability.
The call also highlighted the necessity of intensifying regional and international efforts to contain the escalation, ensure the civilians’ protection, and safeguard the Lebanese people’s resources, particularly in light of the displacement of large numbers of Lebanese citizens.
For his part, the Lebanese Prime Minister praised Egypt’s consistent and supportive stance amid the present delicate circumstances, and highly appreciated the Cairo’s efforts to halt the Israeli aggression.
