Egypt Committed to ‘Peace Treaty’ with Israel, Says Smotrich’s Comments ‘Provocative’

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (dpa)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (dpa)
TT

Egypt Committed to ‘Peace Treaty’ with Israel, Says Smotrich’s Comments ‘Provocative’

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (dpa)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (dpa)

In a first comment on reports that Egypt may suspend the peace treaty with Israel, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Monday his country has upheld its peace treaty with Israel for the past 40 years, serving as the foundation for diplomatic relations between the two nations.
“There is a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, which has been in effect for the past 40 years and will continue to be. We are actively dealing with this matter at this stage,” Shoukry said during a press conference with his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon in the capital Ljubljana.
Shoukry added that Egypt would adhere to the 1979 peace treaty as long as it remains reciprocal. “Therefore, I will rule out any comments that have been made on this matter,” he said.
The FM also affirmed that Cairo will continue its efforts with both parties to reach an agreement that leads to the release of hostages and prisoners and ensuring the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip.
He reiterated Egypt’s rejection of forced displacement of Palestinians from their lands, warning against the Israel planned assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Smotrich’s Comments
In a related development, Egypt's foreign ministry on Monday condemned as “unacceptable” and “provocative” comments by Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich who claimed Cairo has “considerable responsibility” for Hamas's October 7 attack.
Smotrich said during a Monday meeting of his Religious Zionist Party that “the Egyptians bear considerable responsibility for October 7,” also claiming that “much of Hamas's armaments pass through Egypt,” which shares a border with Gaza and has been a key mediator in efforts to end the fighting.
In a statement, Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said it was “unfortunate and disgraceful” for the Israeli minister to “continue releasing irresponsible and inflammatory statements.”
“Egypt fully controls its territory, and does not allow any party to involve Egypt's name in failed attempts to justify its own shortcomings,” he said.
Tensed Relations
Moreover, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman told MBC Masr on Monday there is “tension” in relations between Egypt and Israel after Cairo confirmed its categorical rejection of a possible Israeli ground military operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
Cairo is "ready for any scenario and has many cards to use when the time comes,” Abu Zeid said.
On Sunday, two Egyptian officials and a Western diplomat told The Associated Press that Egypt may suspend the peace treaty if Israeli troops invade Rafah. Netanyahu says Rafah is Hamas' last remaining stronghold after more than four months of war and that sending in ground troops is essential to defeat the group.
Also, the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal had reported on Saturday that Egyptian officials warned the decades-long peace treaty between Egypt and Israel could be suspended if Israeli troops enter Rafah, or if any of Rafah’s refugees are forced southward into the Sinai Peninsula.

 

 



Lebanese Govt. to Seek New IMF Program, Policy Statement Says

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas//File Photo
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas//File Photo
TT

Lebanese Govt. to Seek New IMF Program, Policy Statement Says

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas//File Photo
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas//File Photo

Lebanon's new government will negotiate with the International Monetary Fund for a new program and will work to deal with the country's financial default and public debt, according to a policy statement approved by the cabinet late on Monday.

The statement, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters, said the government would work for an economical revival that could only be achieved through restructuring the banking sector.

Lebanon has been in deep economic crisis since 2019, when its financial system collapsed under the weight of massive state debts, prompting a sovereign default in 2020 and freezing ordinary depositors out of their savings in the banking system.

Beirut reached a draft funding deal with IMF in 2022 - contingent on reforms that authorities failed to deliver.

Finance Minister Yassine Jaber, who took office as part of a new government agreed earlier this month, told Reuters an IMF mission is expected to visit Lebanon in March.

Jaber said he had met the IMF's resident representative in Lebanon, Frederico Lima, and confirmed that the government plans to move ahead with reforms.

Lebanon's political landscape has been turned on its head since the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, long a dominant player in Lebanese politics, was badly pummelled in last year's war with Israel.

Reflecting the shift in the power balance, the government policy statement did not include language used in previous years that was seen to legitimize a role for Hezbollah in defending Lebanon, saying instead "we want a state that has the decision of war and peace".

The statement said it was required to adopt a national security strategy and a foreign policy that works to 'neutralize' Lebanon from conflicts.

In the field of energy, the Lebanese government will seek to resume work in oil and gas exploration, according to the cabinet statement. It said the government planned to establish a Ministry of Technology and Artificial Intelligence.

With a new administration in neighboring Syria, the statement said the Lebanese government believed it has an opportunity to start a serious dialogue aimed at controlling and demarcating the borders and working to resolve the issue of displaced Syrians in Lebanon.