Egyptian Foreign Minister Meets Berri, Conveys Full Support for Lebanon.

BEIRUT: House Speaker, Nabih Berri, on Wednesday welcomed at Ain el-Tineh Egyptian Foreign Minister, Badr Abdel-Aaty, where the latter conveyed a message of unwavering support from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the Egyptian government for Lebanon during its current crisis. The meeting took place in the presence of the Egyptian Ambassador to Lebanon, Alaa Moussa, and Speaker Berri's Media Advisor, Ali Hamdan. According to National News Agency - Lebanon, discussions reportedly touched on the general situation in Lebanon and the region, political and field developments, as well as the displaced person's file, in light of Israel's escalating aggression against Lebanon. Following the meeting, Minister Abdel-Aaty stated, 'I conveyed to Speaker Berri the full support of President Sisi and the Egyptian state, reiterating our commitment to continue assisting Lebanon until it overcomes its challenges.' Abdel-Aaty emphasized that Egypt's primary focus in all its diplomatic efforts is the immediate ce ssation of hostilities without conditions. "We condemn the aggression and are continuing our communications to halt it," the Egyptian diplomat said. The two leaders also discussed issues related to the displacement crisis and Lebanon's internal stability. Abdel-Aaty praised Speaker Berri for his political wisdom and expressed the importance of completing Lebanon's state institutions, particularly in filling the presidential vacuum. "We agreed on the need for a Lebanese-led election process without external impositions, aiming for a consensus president with the participation of all factions," Abdel-Aaty stated. The Egyptian Foreign Minister further noted the critical importance of resolving the presidential vacancy and insisted that this issue should not be conditioned upon a ceasefire. "The election of a president must proceed on its own terms," he added. Abdel-Aaty also lauded the role of the Lebanese army in maintaining state cohesion, stating, "We visited General Joseph Aoun and reaffirmed our sup port for the Lebanese army." The meeting also covered the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, with both Speaker Berri and Army Commander General Aoun confirming Lebanon's readiness to execute the resolution and the army's preparedness for immediate deployment to achieve its objectives, Abdel-Aaty concluded.