Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry travelled to Beirut on Monday, in a visit aimed at confirming Egypt’s support for the Lebanese state and its institutions, and strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abou Zaid.
Shoukry met with several political figures including the prime minister, the foreign minister, the head of the parliament, and other representatives of political parties.
Similar challenges face all Arab countries and we are working to confront them, Shoukry said in a press conference Tuesday with his Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil. The two officials illustrated in the press conference their countries’ efforts to promote cooperation between them in various fields.
Shoukry pointed out that Egypt hopes to reactivate the joint higher committee so as to contribute to serving the region’s issues. The current situation in the Arab arena is fraught with danger and must be addressed in order to meet the needs of the people across the region, he said.
In other meetings, the officials discussed bilateral relations between both countries in different fields. They also reviewed the recent updates regionally and internationally, especially regarding the Syrian crisis. They also discussed developments of the internal situation in Lebanon.
Shoukry expressed Egypt’s support for the Libyan people through any means that would preserve the unity and stability of their country. He also confirmed Egypt’s hope for the continuation of national dialogue among the various Lebanese political forces to reach a consensus in dealing the political landscape of Lebanon, especially in the presidential elections, to choose someone who will express the interests of the Lebanese people.
The visit was made to confirm Egypt’s commitment to support the unity and stability of the Arab countries, and to confirm that Lebanon is at the top of Egypt’s president’s concerns, as the security and stability of the Lebanese state is vital and important to the stability of the Arab nation.
