Egypt, EU Agree on Advancing Coordination at All Levels

Ursula von der Leyen expressed to Egyptian President Sisi Brussels’ interest in continuing to advance cooperation with Cairo. (Getty Images)
Ursula von der Leyen expressed to Egyptian President Sisi Brussels’ interest in continuing to advance cooperation with Cairo. (Getty Images)
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Egypt, EU Agree on Advancing Coordination at All Levels

Ursula von der Leyen expressed to Egyptian President Sisi Brussels’ interest in continuing to advance cooperation with Cairo. (Getty Images)
Ursula von der Leyen expressed to Egyptian President Sisi Brussels’ interest in continuing to advance cooperation with Cairo. (Getty Images)

Egypt and the European Union agreed to advance friendly relations and maintain joint coordination in light of the existing multiple and strong ties between them.

On Monday, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received a phone call from President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Von der Leyen praised the president’s vision to achieve comprehensive development across Egypt, the unremitting efforts to combat terrorism, and Egypt's successful experience in combating illegal immigration, the spokesman for the Egyptian presidency said.

“The call discussed ways to promote bilateral cooperation,” he added, stressing that Sisi confirmed his interest in strengthening cooperation and developing mutual dialogue between the two sides in light of their common interests and challenges.

For her part, the European Commission president underlined the EU’s desire to further boost cooperation with Cairo at various levels in light of Egypt’s leverage in the region.

The call also touched on a number of issues and developments in the region.

Von der Leyen confirmed the European interest that the ongoing coordination with Sisi is ensured on many important international and regional issues, including Egypt's hosting of the COP 27 climate summit this year.

The two sides agreed on the need to continue consultation, exchange views and intensify cooperation to reach political settlements for the various crises facing the region and maintaining peace and security in the Middle East, Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean.

“This is necessary for both restoring stability in the region and securing a better future for its people,” the spokesman added.



Hezbollah-Israel Ceasefire Proposal Says Only ‘Official’ Forces May Carry Arms in Lebanon

 Lebanese soldiers ride in a convoy in Mansouri, as they head to southern Lebanon, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP)
Lebanese soldiers ride in a convoy in Mansouri, as they head to southern Lebanon, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP)
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Hezbollah-Israel Ceasefire Proposal Says Only ‘Official’ Forces May Carry Arms in Lebanon

 Lebanese soldiers ride in a convoy in Mansouri, as they head to southern Lebanon, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP)
Lebanese soldiers ride in a convoy in Mansouri, as they head to southern Lebanon, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP)

A ceasefire proposal agreed to by Lebanon and Israel stipulates that only "official military and security forces" in Lebanon are authorized to carry arms in the country, according to a copy of the deal dated on Tuesday and seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

It specifically names those forces as the Lebanese Armed Forces, the Internal Security Forces, General Security, State Security, Lebanese customs and municipal police.

Officials in both the Lebanese government and Iran-backed Hezbollah have long referred to cabinet statements since 2008 enshrining the right to "resistance" as providing official approval for Hezbollah's arsenal.

The truce proposal refers to both sides' commitment to fully implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, including provisions that refer to the "disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon".

Hezbollah has not formally commented on the ceasefire, but senior official Hassan Fadlallah told Lebanon's Al Jadeed TV late on Tuesday that while the group supported the extension of the Lebanese state's authority, the group would emerge from the war stronger.

"Thousands will join the resistance... Disarming the resistance was an Israeli proposal that fell through," said Fadlallah, who is also a member of Lebanon's parliament.