Sisi Calls For Regional, International Collective Action to Confront Hate Speech

 President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during the video conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday (Photo: Egypt’s Presidential Spokesperson)
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during the video conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday (Photo: Egypt’s Presidential Spokesperson)
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Sisi Calls For Regional, International Collective Action to Confront Hate Speech

 President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during the video conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday (Photo: Egypt’s Presidential Spokesperson)
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during the video conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday (Photo: Egypt’s Presidential Spokesperson)

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called for a collective action at the regional and international levels to confront hate speech and extremism with the participation of various religious institutions to spread the values of peace.

Sisi’s comments came on Monday during a phone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He also discussed with his French counterpart President Emmanuel Macron “regional issues and efforts to confront terrorism.”

Presidential Spokesman Bassam Radhi said that Macron contacted Sisi to discuss “common stances regarding the fight against terrorism and extremism… and the recent terrorist attacks in France.”

Sisi emphasized “the necessity to differentiate between the Islamic religion, which calls for promoting peace, tolerance and renouncing violence, and terrorist acts committed by those who claim to belong to Islam and which are strongly condemned.”

He continued: “There is a need to focus on spreading the values of coexistence between the followers of different religions, through dialogue, understanding and mutual respect.”

Also on Monday, Sisi held a video conference with Merkel, with whom he discussed strategic bilateral relations and the means to confront extremist ideology and combat terrorism, in light of the recent attacks in a number of European countries.

According to the Egyptian presidential spokesman, Sisi stressed that the religious values had nothing to do with acts of extremism and terrorism.

He pointed to “the importance of formulating a collective action at the regional and international level to confront hate speech and extremism, with the participation of various religious institutions from all sides, with the aim of spreading the values of peace and consolidating the foundations of tolerance and peaceful coexistence among all peoples.”

The two officials also discussed the latest developments concerning Libya.

In this regard, Radhi said the German Chancellor praised Cairo’s endeavor to settle the Libyan crisis and Sisi’s personal efforts in this context, which would “enhance the political process and consolidate Egypt’s role as a pillar of security and stability in its regional environment and the Middle East region.”



Lebanon Ready for Syria Pact to Repatriate Non-Terror Convicts

Lebanon’s Justice Minister Adel Nassar (NNA)
Lebanon’s Justice Minister Adel Nassar (NNA)
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Lebanon Ready for Syria Pact to Repatriate Non-Terror Convicts

Lebanon’s Justice Minister Adel Nassar (NNA)
Lebanon’s Justice Minister Adel Nassar (NNA)

Lebanon’s Justice Minister Adel Nassar said Beirut had received no warnings from Damascus about potential retaliatory measures to push for the release of Syrian detainees held in Lebanese prisons, dismissing any talk of escalation as unnecessary.

“There’s no need for escalation. We’re fully open to resolving this issue through direct dialogue and a formal treaty with the Syrian authorities, one that allows the transfer of Syrian convicts, except those sentenced for killing Lebanese soldiers or for terrorism charges,” Nassar told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Nassar revealed that his ministry had already prepared a draft agreement aimed at moving the stalled file forward, stressing that resolving the issue is in Lebanon’s interest as much as Syria’s.

“This would ease the severe overcrowding in our prisons,” he said. “We’re determined to take every step in full compliance with Lebanese law and judicial procedures.”

According to Nassar, some 1,700 Syrians are currently detained in Lebanon, including 389 with final verdicts. The rest are still on trial.

“Their treatment is identical to that of Lebanese inmates,” he added. “We’re holding court sessions directly at Roumieh prison to address logistical constraints, and there’s also an intention to do the same for the military court.”

Addressing the recent Cabinet appointment of Maher Shaito as financial public prosecutor, a move widely seen as a win for the minister after rejecting a nominee backed by the Hezbollah-Amal alliance, Nassar insisted the process was purely institutional.

“This was a victory for state institutions. I can’t nominate someone I don’t believe is qualified,” he said. “After consulting senior judges and the head of the Higher Judicial Council, it was clear there was consensus around Shaito due to his credentials and track record.”

He stressed that the appointment involved “no deals or political bartering,” adding that while he found Judge Ziad Hamadeh unsuitable for that specific post, “I never said he was unfit for another position.”

Nassar described his meeting Saturday with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri as “positive,” saying Berri expressed support for the minister’s efforts under the principle of judicial independence.

On long-awaited judicial appointments, Nassar said the Judicial Council was working “around the clock” and had promised to complete the file by the end of the month. “Some 600 names are currently under consideration,” he noted.

As Lebanon approaches the fifth anniversary of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, Nassar said he would not interfere with the timeline of investigative judge Tarek Bitar, who is handling the politically sensitive case.

“Judge Bitar is continuing his probe, and I’m offering full cooperation within the limits of my authority, especially when it comes to securing information from abroad,” he said. “We won’t allow any obstruction of his work.”

Nassar said the timing of the indictment “depends on whether he receives the answers to all his questions,” adding: “There’s no legal deadline obliging him to issue a ruling by a specific date.”

Responding to reports that he and other ministers had objected to certain appointments during the last Cabinet session, Nassar confirmed his opposition to the newly named Banking Control Commission, saying ministers had not been briefed beforehand.

He also voiced strong objection to linking the disarmament of Hezbollah to any other file.

“I told Cabinet and President Joseph Aoun that the issue of arms must not be conditional. I believe in the exclusive right of the state to bear arms - there can be no functioning state otherwise,” he said.

Nassar added that Aoun had promised to refer any final document related to the ongoing US-mediated talks on the weapons issue back to the Cabinet for discussion.