Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi formally welcomed the ceasefire in Lebanon during a high-level telephone conversation with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The Egyptian presidency released a statement confirming that al-Sisi praised the cessation of hostilities, which officially ended six weeks of intense conflict at midnight between April 16 and 17. During the call, al-Sisi underscored Egypt’s steadfast support for the sovereignty of the Lebanese people and commended the state’s ongoing efforts to restore the authority of its national institutions across the entire country.
President Aoun expressed his deep gratitude for Cairo’s consistent solidarity, noting that Lebanon remains committed to a peaceful and just settlement that ensures territorial integrity and the security of its citizens. The human cost of the conflict has been severe, with official reports citing nearly 2,300 deaths and the displacement of over one million civilians since the outbreak of hostilities on March 2. Despite the implementation of the truce, the regional security environment remains fragile, as Israel has publicly reserved the right to take defensive military action against any perceived imminent threats or planned attacks.
The diplomatic exchange occurred under the shadow of a serious international incident involving the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Just hours before the call, an Israeli attack resulted in the death of a French peacekeeper and left several others wounded, an act that Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically condemned. While Hezbollah has denied any involvement in the incident, Egypt emphasized the absolute necessity of protecting UN personnel and allowing UNIFIL to fulfill its security mandate without interference.
AK/Sf/lb/abj/APA