Egypt delivers more aid to Lebanon, urges stronger efforts for ceasefire: FM

BEIRUT, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) — Egypt fully supports Lebanon, stands ready to meet all the country’s needs, and calls for intensified efforts to halt the Israeli “aggression” against Lebanon, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said upon his arrival here Wednesday with the fourth shipment of Egyptian aid.
At Beirut airport, Abdelatty stated that the shipment “is not a grant from Egypt, but rather a duty and responsibility towards its brothers in Lebanon, and Egypt will continue its sincere and diligent efforts to stop this brutal Israeli aggression, achieve an immediate ceasefire, and provide all forms of support,” according to a report by Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).
“The aggression cannot be allowed to continue under any pretext, justification, or argument,” he said, noting that Egypt has been maintaining contacts with other countries, including the United States, regarding mediation efforts.
Abdelatty held separate meetings with Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati, during which he expressed Egypt’s support for Lebanon.
“The ceasefire and the cessation of aggression is our priority without any conditions,” he told Berri.
He further emphasized to Mikati the importance of choosing “a consensus president for Lebanon who is accepted by all Lebanese sects without any foreign intervention.”
Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has intensified its air attacks on Lebanon, escalating its conflict with Hezbollah. Israel further initiated a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon in early October.
According to the Lebanese health ministry, the death toll in Lebanon from Israeli airstrikes since the beginning of the conflict in October last year has reached 3,287, with injuries totaling 14,222. ■