CAIRO – President Abdel Fattah El Sisi reiterated Egypt’s keenness to preserve the capabilities of Lebanon in the first place and to get the country out of the present difficult situation, urging all Lebanese leaders to give precedence to the national interests.
The President’s remarks came as he received yesterday Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Al-Hariri in the presence of Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri and Head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service Abbas Kamel, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Bassam Radi said.
President Sisi expressed Egypt’s willingness to help Lebanon settle disputes and accelerate efforts to form an independent government capable of dealing with the current challenges as well as safeguard the resources of the brotherly Lebanese people and the unity of its national fabric.
The President voiced Cairo’s readiness to offer all sorts of support and assistance to overcome the crises facing Lebanon, especially the ramifications caused by both the massive 4 August explosion in Beirut’s port and the coronavirus pandemic.
The President also renewed Egypt’s firm stance towards strengthening the close ties of cooperation with Lebanon, expressing sincere wishes to Prime Minister Hariri in forming the new government, in a manner that fulfils the aspirations of the Lebanese people to achieve security and stability.
President Sisi reaffirmed to Al-Hariri Egypt’s stance toward enhancing cooperation with Beirut, the Egyptian Presidential Spokesperson Bassam Rady said.
For his part, Prime Minister Hariri highlighted Lebanon’s pride at the close historical relations with Egypt, which are based on solidarity and brotherhood.
He, meanwhile, expressed his country’s appreciation for the Egyptian efforts in supporting Lebanon in all fields, especially by providing all forms of aid and assistance in the aftermath of the Beirut Port incident.
The Lebanese prime minister also referred to Egypt’s role in preserving stability in Lebanon and the Arab region as a whole, praising the current Egyptian experience in economic reformand the comprehensive development. He considered Egypt experience as a model to be followed in the countries of the region.
Hariri also praised Egypt’s tireless and sincere efforts to mobilize international support for Lebanon at various levels in light of the continuing difficult challenges facing the Lebanese people, especially at the political, economic and humanitarian levels.
The meeting also included a review of the overall Lebanese political scene and discussed the most prominent developments in the regional situation, as well as ways to strengthen the existing bilateral cooperation between the two brotherly countries.
