Egyptian president signals full support for Lebanon, announces aid deployment

CAIRO

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi informed Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati of Cairo's support Saturday for Beirut and directed the immediate deployment of aid during a telephone call, according to the Egyptian presidency.

Al-Sisi affirmed Egypt's “full support for Lebanon and confirmed standing by its side during these critical circumstances, and rejecting attempts to jeopardize its security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity, stressing the need for an immediate, comprehensive, and permanent ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza,” it said in a statement.

The Egyptian president “gave directives for the immediate dispatch of emergency medical and relief aid to Lebanon, in solidarity with its people, and affirmed Egypt's continued support for Lebanon at all levels.”

He noted that “the international community not assuming its responsibilities to stop the aggressive practices towards the Palestinian territories and Lebanon threatens to slide the region into a dangerous state of escalation, which puts regional and international stability and peace at stake.”

The Lebanese prime minister expressed “appreciation for Egypt's position in support of his country and the Lebanese State, reviewing the outcome of contacts made by the Lebanese government to contain the situation, and praising in this context the role played by Egypt to restore security and stability in the region.”​​​​​​​

Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border warfare since the start of Israel's onslaught on the Gaza Strip, which has killed nearly 41,600 victims, mostly women and children, following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, last Oct. 7.

The international community has warned against the strikes on Lebanon, as they raise the specter of turning the Gaza conflict into a regional war.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala​​​​​​​