Moussa says Aoun has voiced Lebanon's readiness for negotiations with Israel
Egyptian Ambassador to Lebanon Alaa Moussa met Monday in Baabda with President Joseph Aoun on the eve of a visit to the country by a senior Egyptian security delegation.
“The meeting was important and represented a chance to present Egypt’s evaluation of what the region is witnessing, especially after the ceasefire in Gaza and the subsequent developments,” Moussa said.
“The Lebanese president expressed his country’s readiness to engage in negotiations to reach a settlement, especially amid the continuous Israeli violations,” Moussa added.
“The Israeli escalation in Lebanon requires a regional effort to stop it,” the ambassador went on to say.
He added that Aoun briefed him on what Lebanon is doing in the issue of “monopolizing arms in the hand of the state,” saying that he emphasized to the president “Egypt’s full and clear support for the steps taken by Lebanon.” He added that “Egypt has the ability to offer assistance in this field.”
Media reports meanwhile said that the head of Egyptian intelligence Hassan Rashad will propose an Egyptian mediation between Lebanon and Israel.
According to the reports, the Egyptian initiative was first raised through international contacts that followed the Sharm el-Sheikh summit. Rashad had met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu days ago for the same purpose.
Source: Naharnet
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