BEIRUT/ISTANBUL

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met on Friday his Lebanese counterpart Nawaf Salam in Beirut and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly economic cooperation, the latter's office said.

Official reception ceremonies took place at the Grand Serail with official honors that included the playing of the two national anthems.

The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and prospects for expanding cooperation in several sectors, with a focus on the economy, energy, industry and transport.

Madbouly arrived in Lebanon on Thursday evening for a two-day visit. He is also expected to meet Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and parliament speaker Nabih Berri.

Earlier, during Salam’s visit to Cairo in November, Lebanon and Egypt signed 15 agreements and memorandums of understanding covering transport, economy, education, agriculture and other fields.

Madbouly's visit to Beirut comes amid international and Arab efforts to de-escalate tensions in southern Lebanon and prevent a slide into a wider confrontation with Israel.

Last November, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty visited Beirut and met Lebanese officials, announcing support for Lebanon's decision to restrict weapons to the state and avert the risk of military escalation.

In August, Lebanon’s government approved a plan to place all weapons, including those held by Hezbollah, under state control. In September, it endorsed a five-phase plan drawn up by the army to implement the decision, though no timeline was set.

The first phase calls for the removal of Hezbollah weapons south of the Litani River by the end of the year. Hezbollah, however, has repeatedly rejected disarmament, insisting Israel must first withdraw from all Lebanese territory.

Israel and Lebanon reached ceasefire in November 2024 after more than a year of cross-border attacks amid the war in Gaza. More than 4,000 people were killed, and 17,000 others injured.

Under the truce, Israeli forces were supposed to withdraw from southern Lebanon in January but have only partially pulled out, maintaining a military presence at five border outposts.