Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received the French presidential envoy to Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian, on Tuesday. Minister Shoukry began the meeting by praising the recent activities of the ambassadors of the Quintet group, which includes Egypt, France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United States, and their meeting with Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri. This resulted in a reaffirmation that the committee's goal is to encourage the Lebanese parties to engage in dialogue and fulfill their relevant responsibilities. The Foreign Minister also emphasized the important role that the Quintet plays in seeking to resolve the presidential vacancy crisis in Lebanon, noting that it serves as an international framework aimed at helping the Lebanese reach a solution to their political crises according to their own will.
Furthermore, Minister Shoukry reviewed Egypt's position on urging the Lebanese parties to choose a president and then form a government capable of fulfilling its duties. He welcomed the renewal steps for the commander of the Lebanese army, the commander of the Internal Security Forces, and the appointment of a chief of staff for the army. The Foreign Minister stressed the necessity of maintaining Lebanon's constitutional framework.
He asserted that Egypt believes that relying solely on security solutions for regional problems is a limited perspective, as a comprehensive solution must start with an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The continuing situation in the sector undoubtedly impacts stability in Lebanon, including the issue of resolving the presidential vacancy.
For his part, the French envoy outlined his efforts to communicate with Lebanese parties to resolve the presidential crisis, praising the collaboration and coordination with Egypt at all levels to help ease the politically tense situation. The French envoy stated that he has visited Lebanon four times and met all the key and influential figures, and in all his meetings, he affirmed that the responsibility lies with the Lebanese parties to emerge from the current presidential vacancy. He noted that ongoing instability affects the interests of many countries, not just Lebanon, and thus there must be sufficient seriousness in seeking solutions to overcome the current impasse.
Additionally, both sides discussed the serious developments occurring in the Gaza Strip, which cast shadows over the Lebanese arena and complicate the situation further. In this context, they reviewed Egypt's efforts to achieve a ceasefire, alongside France's efforts and vision in this regard. The French official confirmed that his country considers itself a friend of Arab countries and supports the Palestinian cause, both on the European and international levels.