Egypt, Bahrain Agree to Consolidate Arab Stance against Foreign Meddling

Sisi and Bahrain’s King meet in Sharm El-Sheikh (Egyptian Presidency)
Sisi and Bahrain’s King meet in Sharm El-Sheikh (Egyptian Presidency)
TT

Egypt, Bahrain Agree to Consolidate Arab Stance against Foreign Meddling

Sisi and Bahrain’s King meet in Sharm El-Sheikh (Egyptian Presidency)
Sisi and Bahrain’s King meet in Sharm El-Sheikh (Egyptian Presidency)

Egypt and Bahrain agreed to develop joint Arab action, which would help protect Arab national security and enhance the ability to address challenges and growing threats, namely foreign interventions.

This came during Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's meeting on Thursday with visiting King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain.

Sisi expressed appreciation of the historical ties between the two countries and stressed keenness on boosting bilateral cooperation in various fields.

King Hamad expressed gratitude for the warm reception by Sisi, praising the solid fraternal Egyptian-Bahraini relations.

He asserted that his current visit to Egypt comes as part of the historical and distinguished relations that bind the two nations, governments, and peoples.

King Hamad further praised Egypt's pivotal and firm role as a mainstay of security and stability in the region as well as its relentless efforts to promote joint Arab action.

The talks underscored the importance of boosting economic and investment cooperation by optimizing all available opportunities.

Moreover, they discussed the latest regional developments, namely in Libya and Afghanistan, in addition to joint efforts to address the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic.

Sisi and the king agreed to boost Egyptian-Bahraini cooperation to protect Arab national security, and increase their capabilities against the challenges and threats facing the region.

“The president has emphasized Egypt’s continuing commitment to its constant position on the security of the Gulf and its rejection of practices that strive to destabilize it,” the Egyptian president's office said.

Views were also exchanged regarding the latest developments in the peace process, where the Bahraini King praised the Egyptian efforts to consolidate the ceasefire between the Israelis and the Palestinians and Egypt's initiative for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.



Lebanon, Israel Ceasefire Deal Will Take Place in Three Phases and ‘Simultaneous’ Withdrawals

 Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP)
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP)
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Lebanon, Israel Ceasefire Deal Will Take Place in Three Phases and ‘Simultaneous’ Withdrawals

 Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP)
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP)

Informed sources revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that US-President elect Donald Trump agreed on the steps that President Joe Biden’s administration will take to ensure the success of the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

Israel approved the ceasefire on Tuesday night after Lebanon had already agreed to it.

The sources, which followed up on the negotiations for the 60-day truce, said the steps call for the withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters and their weapons from the South where the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon is deployed. In return, Israeli forces will withdraw from southern Lebanon.

More negotiations through American mediators will take place throughout the process.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Trump “gave his blessing” to the process during his meeting with Biden at the White House two weeks ago.

A committee led by the US will oversee the implementation of the withdrawal. France, Lebanon, Israel and UNIFIL are also part of the committee.

Asharq Al-Awsat learned that Hezbollah’s withdrawal will take place in three 20-day phases. The first withdrawal will take place in the western sector.

It will coincide with an Israeli pullout from areas it occupied in that region. A strengthened Lebanese army force and UNIFIL troops will deploy in their place.

The second phase will cover the central sector and follow the same process.

The residents of the frontline southern villages will not be allowed to return to their homes immediately until they are deemed safe and after ensuring that no Hezbollah members or weapons remain there.

Residents of the so-called second and third line of villages south of the Litani River will be allowed to return to their homes immediately.

The source expected the US to play an “effective role” in the mechanism to oversee the withdrawal. It did not clarify whether any American forces will take part in the process.

It revealed that Britain and other countries will “exert special efforts to verify whether illegitimate weapons are being smuggled to Hezbollah.”

The five-member committee will not replace the tripartite committee already in place and that includes Lebanon, Israel and UNIFIL.