Egyptian, Lebanese presidents call for Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon, Golan
Egypt-Lebanon, Politics, 2/21/2000

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Lebanese President Emile Lahoud have asserted the need for Arab unity and for strengthening the Lebanese- Syrian inseparability on all negotiation tracks.

In a joint statement released after the conclusion of official talks, the two presidents stressed that the first basis for peace lies in Israel's full withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories in south Lebanon and its western Bekaa to the internationally-recognized borders, from the occupied Golan to the June 4, 1967 border lines with a stress on the right of the Palestinian refugees to return.

The two presidents stressed the right of the Lebanese resistance to confront the Israeli aggression until liberation and that resistance is a result of occupation rather than a reason for it.

The two presidents also stressed that the recent Israeli aggressions against the Lebanese infrastructure constitutes a flagrant violation of the April Understanding. They also stated that Israel's continuous ignorance of this understanding will not change the current equation between the resistance and occupation; on the contrary, it would lead to further escalation.

The two presidents' joint statement said that the two presidents held talks in an atmosphere of fraternity and understanding, especially on bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern, current regional conditions, especially the peace process and the escalation of the Israeli aggressions against Lebanon.

President Lahoud and President Mubarak condemned the recent Israeli aggressions which targeted civilians and the infrastructure in Lebanon. They also condemned the Israeli threats which are in contradiction with international norms and charters.

The Egyptian president stressed Egypt's stand in supporting Lebanon and its people, stressing the need to ensure the necessary Arab backing to strengthening this steadfastness.

The Lebanese president, for his part, expressed the appreciation of the Lebanese people for the support shown by President Mubarak to Lebanon.

Lebanese- Egyptian talks started at 11.20 a.m. on Saturday (Lebanese local time) in a bilateral closed-door meeting between President Emile Lahoud and President Hosni Mubarak.

Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss and members of the Egyptian official delegation and their Lebanese counterparts joined the talks.

Talks dealt with the development of conditions in the region, especially the results of the recent Israeli aggression, and help that can be provided by Egypt to eliminate the consequences of the aggression and issues of mutual concern.

In parallel to the closed-door meeting between President Lahoud and President Mubarak at Baabda Palace, a meeting was held between the Lebanese president and foreign minister, al-Hoss, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa and members of the two delegations.

Later in the day, President Mubarak left Beirut following a brief visit to Lebanon during which he held talks with President Lahoud.

Previous Stories:
  Egypt cannot accept Israeli raids on Lebanon   (2/19/2000)
  Egyptian expertees for reforming the electric stations in Lebanon   (2/18/2000)
  Egyptian - Lebanese coordination   (2/15/2000)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search