Hariri in Egypt to seek support for a solution to the Lebanese crisis

Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad al Hariri has been in Egypt this week, in a bid to help form a new government and end Lebanon's multifaceted crisis.  

In Cairo, Al Hariri met yesterday with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, and General Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel.

According to a statement from Al Hariri's office, the top officials covered the bilateral relations and the current situation in Lebanon. 

President El Sisi highlighted Egypt’s keenness to preserve the capacity of the Lebanese state and affirmed the importance of helping Lebanon out of its current difficult situation. He noted that this will take place once all Lebanese leaders uphold the national interest while settling disputes, and accelerating efforts to form an independent government capable of dealing with the current challenges.

El Sisi also stressed Egypt’s readiness to provide support and assistance to overcome the crises that Lebanon is facing. This relates particularly to those caused by the August 2020 Beirut Port explosion, and the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

For his part, Al Hariri affirmed Lebanon’s pride in its close historical relations with Egypt, which are based on solidarity and brotherhood. He expressed his country’s appreciation for the Egyptian efforts in supporting Lebanon in all fields, especially in providing aid and assistance in the aftermath of the Beirut Port incident.

As per a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, the Egyptian officials affirmed the fixed stance towards supporting the security and stability of Lebanon and backing its endeavors aimed at overcoming current challenges.

The goal is to achieve stability, advance development, and preserve the capabilities of the brotherly people of Lebanon. The leaders also stressed the importance of upholding the supreme national interest of Lebanon in order to get out of the current deadlock within the framework of commitment to the Lebanese constitution which requires accelerating efforts to form an independent government capable of dealing with the requirements of the future that the Lebanese people seek.

Hariri expressed appreciation for the efforts deployed by Egypt to harness international support to Lebanon at this stage. 

Lebanon has only a caretaker government at present. The previous government led by Hasan Diab resigned six days after the Beirut port explosion in August. Since then, the country's political forces have failed to agree on the formation of a new government. 

Former MP Mustafa Allouch, a member of the Future Movement led by Hariri, told the newspaper Arab News that  attempts to form a government were being blocked by Gebran Bassil, leader of the Free Patriotic Movement.

“There is an explicit insistence … on including members of the FPM in the new government, and a total rejection of independents.”

He said Al Hariri “does not mind making concessions if this would lead to an effective government, but the government Bassil has in mind will be worse than all the ones before.”

Al Hariri has pledged to quickly form a new government of specialists that would enact reforms and stop the country’s economic collapse.

Al Hariri will now visit Paris for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, who has proposed a non-sectarian Lebanese government of experts and technocrats to launch  political and economic reforms.

Source: commonspace.eu with Arab News (Riyadh) and other agencies.
Picture: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi welcomed Lebanese Prime Minister Saal Al Hariri in Cairo with the presence of Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukty and General Intelligence Director Abbas Kamel (Spokesman of the Egyptian Presidency). 

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

The United States and Ukraine have signed a minerals deal after a two-month delay, in what President Donald Trump's administration called a new form of US commitment to Kyiv after the end of military aid. Ukraine said it secured key interests after protracted negotiations, including full sovereignty over its own rare earths, which are vital for new technologies and largely untapped. Trump had initially demanded rights to Ukraine's mineral wealth as compensation for US weapons sent under former president Joe Biden after Russia invaded just over three years ago.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

The United States and Ukraine have signed a minerals deal after a two-month delay, in what President Donald Trump's administration called a new form of US commitment to Kyiv after the end of military aid. Ukraine said it secured key interests after protracted negotiations, including full sovereignty over its own rare earths, which are vital for new technologies and largely untapped. Trump had initially demanded rights to Ukraine's mineral wealth as compensation for US weapons sent under former president Joe Biden after Russia invaded just over three years ago.