Shoukry Receives French Presidential Envoy to Lebanon

Shoukry Receives French Presidential Envoy to Lebanon

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The Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry received Tuesday Jean-Yves Le Drian, French presidential special envoy for Lebanon, during his current visit to Egypt, according to Ahmed Abou Zeid, the official spokesman of the ministry.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman revealed that Shoukry praised the active and vital role played by the ambassadors of the five-nation group on Lebanon, which includes, in addition to Egypt and France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United States.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also called for the need to intensify joint efforts to overcome the Lebanese presidential vacancy crisis, stressing that the regional crisis drives the importance of ending the presidential vacancy quickly so that Lebanon can face the increasing challenges resulting from that crisis.

Abou Zeid added that the meeting discussed the importance of continuing the efforts of the five-nation group on Lebanon within the framework of its neutral role in facilitating ways to reach consensus among the various Lebanese parties on a presidential candidate.

The official spokesman added that the meeting also touched on the latest developments in the regional situation and its impact on the stability of the region, as the foreign minister reiterated the firm Egyptian position calling for the necessity of ending the crisis in the Gaza Strip and preventing the expansion of the conflict in the region, explaining the extent of the explosive situation in Gaza. 

Shoukry called on major countries and active parties to take a stronger and more influential stance, and not limit themselves to issuing statements and appeals against the backdrop of not being able to prevent Israel from storming Palestinian Rafah.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also affirmed Egypt’s great interest in preserving Lebanon’s security, stability and sovereignty, expressing Egypt’s appreciation for the French efforts aimed at calming the situation in southern Lebanon, stressing Cairo’s support for those efforts, and Egyptian openness to coordination with Paris on this issue, with the necessity of including any proposal to implement the Security Council’s decision 1701, which Preserves Lebanon’s sovereignty and security and stopping Israeli attacks on it.

On his part, Le Drian expressed his deep appreciation for the tireless and continuous efforts made by Egypt since the beginning of the crisis in the Gaza Strip, with the aim of reaching a ceasefire. He added that Egypt played an important and pivotal role at the level of the five-nation group to calm the tense situation on the Lebanese-Israeli front, as well as providing assistance to all Lebanese parties in order to overcome the current stalemate in connection with the presidential vacuum in Lebanon.

The two sides agreed to continue consultation and coordination in order to support the safety, stability and sovereignty of Lebanon, and to provide all forms of support to the Lebanese people to help them overcome the current crisis, choose their leadership and enable their institutions to carry out their role.