Egypt ver the weekend condemned in the strongest terms the escalation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon, including the expansion of a ground incursion in the south of the country.
This is according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cairo which said the ground offensive “reveals Israel’s premeditated intent to impose a new military reality on the ground, in blatant violation of all norms, international law, and the Charter of the United Nations.”
While firmly rejecting any violation of Lebanon’s territorial integrity, Egypt reiterated its unwavering support for the country’s unity, sovereignty, and national institutions.
Cairo described the development as a “total violation of Lebanese sovereignty” and called for an immediate and complete Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territory.
Egypt also stressed the need for full and non-selective implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, in order to enable Lebanese state institutions, particularly the national army, to exercise exclusive authority over the entire territory.
The statement warned against Israel’s continued expansion of military operations which it said risks triggering a wider regional escalation.
It urged the UN Security Council and influential international actors to assume their responsibilities urgently and decisively to halt the aggression.
Egypt’s foreign minister Badr Abdelatty Sunday, held talks with Lebanese prime minister Nawaf Salam, expressing Cairo’s “full solidarity with Lebanon.”
AK/Sf/lb/as/APA