Stacy
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has called for Israel’s complete withdrawal from Lebanon and the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. He made these remarks during his meeting with newly elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Friday in Beirut.
During their discussions, Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s unwavering support for Lebanon and condemned Israel’s recent airstrike on Bekaa in eastern Lebanon. He also stressed the urgent need for displaced Lebanese citizens to return to their homes in the south and east.
Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006, established a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel and created a weapons-free zone between the Blue Line and the Litani River, with exceptions for the Lebanese army and UNIFIL forces. However, violations have continued, with at least 823 breaches by Israeli forces since the most recent ceasefire took effect on November 27.
The fragile truce ended months of intense clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated into full-scale conflict on September 23, 2023. Under the ceasefire agreement, Israel was to withdraw south of the Blue Line in phases, while the Lebanese army was expected to deploy in the south within 60 days.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports that since October 8, 2023, Israeli attacks have killed at least 4,080 people, including women, children, and health workers, and injured over 16,753.
Abdelatty also delivered an official invitation from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi for Aoun to visit Cairo, celebrating his recent election as a moment of “great satisfaction” for the Lebanese and Egyptian people.
The visit marks a renewed push for stability in the region, with Egypt reaffirming its role as a key diplomatic player in the Middle East.
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