Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly urged Israel to withdraw from five strategic points it still occupies inside Lebanon.
“We are following up on the security developments and categorically reject any Israeli presence on Lebanese territories”, Madbouly stressed in remarks during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Sunday from Cairo.
He added that Egyptian companies are willing to take part in the reconstruction process in south Lebanon, noting “We support the Lebanese government to safeguard the stability and unity of Lebanese territories”.
Pointing to a stimulus in bilateral relations between the two countries, he said an agreement was reached to convene the tenth Lebanese-Egyptian committee, noting that he is scheduled to lead a delegation to visit Lebanon in December.
Expressing unwavering support for Lebanon, the Egyptian PM said: “We back the political and diplomatic efforts aiming to achieve political and economic stability in the country.
“We are fully ready to meet any requests from the Lebanese side in what serves the country’s independence and its progress in the coming phase. We are following up on the security developments and categorically reject any Israeli presence on Lebanese territories. We support your endeavors to take the necessary steps to stabilize the situation in Lebanon.”
At the energy level, Madbouly said that Egypt plans to increase cooperation with Lebanon.
Trade Exchange between Cairo and Beirut
Trade exchange reached a billion dollars last year, said Madbouly noting that any effort to multiply this amount will not come to fruition without the participation of the private sector.
During his meeting with his Egyptian counterpart, Salam hailed the “firm” bilateral relations between the two countries and praised the Grand Egyptian Museum – which Egypt inaugurated on Saturday- describing it as “a piece of art”.
Salam invited Madbouly to an investment conference that Lebanon plans to hold, urging him to encourage the Egyptian private sector to attend.
The Lebanese PM said that Lebanon is looking forward to Egypt’s assistance, expressing confidence in its ability to provide political backing to Lebanon.
Replying to Salam’s remarks, Madbouly said: “We fully understand what Lebanon is facing in the south, and we support the imposition of Lebanon’s sovereignty over all Lebanese territories. As soon as the situation stabilizes in southern Lebanon, Egyptian companies will be ready to provide support in the field of infrastructure”.
