Egypt, Lebanon sign agreement; complete solidarity of views
Egypt and Lebanon yesterday signed five memos of understanding and two executive programs in the field of industry, trade, information, education, utilities and tourism.
Egypt and Lebanon have underlined agreement on expanding bilateral cooperation agreements. This came at the end of the meetings of the Joint Higher Egyptian-Lebanese Committee under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Atef Ebeid and Lebanese Prime Minister Dr. Salim a1-Hoss.
The agreements signed yesterday included:
- An executive program for tourist cooperation from the year 2000 to the year 2003. - An executive program on education from the year 2000 to the year 2003. - A memo of understanding on housing and utilities. - A memo of understanding between the two foreign trade points at the ministries of economy in both countries. - A memo of understanding between the two states ministries of industries on exchanging industrial products between the two countries. - A memo of understanding on developing industrial and commercial relations. - A memo on information cooperation.
Minister of Information Safwat el-Sherif said the Egyptian and Lebanese sides have underlined the importance of Israel's full and comprehensive withdrawal from all Lebanese territories including Shabaa farms, which are admitted by Syria as having been Lebanese territories since the year 1946 according to memos exchanged by the two countries at that time.
In a joint communique capping three days of Egyptian-Lebanese talks co-chaired by premiers of both countries, Egypt and Lebanon urged that Lebanese air peace and territorial integrity be respected.
The statement stressed Lebanon's right to seek compensation for the damage it has suffered due to Israeli attacks.
The two sides renewed emphasis on legitimacy of Lebanese resistance to Israeli assaults.
"This resistance is an outcome, not a cause of, (Israeli) occupation," read the statement.
In their joint communique, Egypt and Lebanon called on Arab states to stick to a host of resolutions adopted by Arab Foreign Ministers at an Arab League meeting held in Beirut on March 11-12, "particularly with regard to the provision of financial, political and media support necessary for Lebanon's steadfastness and its reconstruction".
The two sides slammed repeated Israeli attacks on Lebanon and its infrastructure facilities.
"The world community is demanded to shoulder its responsibility in deterring Israel from repeating such dangerous acts that reflect negatively on the peace process," read the statement.
In this regard, the Lebanese side welcomed a statement issued by Foreign Ministers of Egypt, Syria, and Saudi Arabia after a meeting last month in the ancient Syria town of Palymera pertaining to the security tasks to be undertaken by the UN Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) after Israeli withdrawal in accordance with Security Council Resolutions 425 and 426.
The two sides, meanwhile, cited "major development" at their ties, particularly since the visits made by President Hosni Mubarak to Beirut last February and Lebanese President Emile Lahoud to Cairo last month.
Lebanon appreciated Egypt's statement that Israel's official proclamation to withdraw from South Lebanon in compliance with the UN Resolution no 425 unconditionally "marks a step" and "Lebanon's victory in liberating its land".
Taking up the regional peacemaking, the two countries urged Israel to comply with the UN Resolutions so that the peace process would bear fruit. They renewed their rejection of Israel's settlement activities in the occupied Arab territory and all Israeli measures to judaise Jerusalem.
"These practices and measures are politically null and void," said the statement read by Egyptian Information Minister Safwat e1-Sherif and Lebanese Economy and Trade Minister Naser Al-Saedi.
Egypt and Lebanon, moreover, urged the US and Russia - being the co-sponsors of Middle East peace process - and the European Union to intensify their efforts in order to put peace drive back on track.
They also stressed the parallelism of the Syrian and Lebanese tracks, and warned against any bid to "drive a wedge" between the two courses.
Renewing the call to free the Middle East of all weapons of mass destruction, Egypt and Lebanon stressed the necessity of Israel's joining the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and Lebanon's opening its nuclear facilities to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
While urging Iraq to comply with relevant Security Council Resolutions, both countries voiced sympathy with suffering-hit Iraqi people and demanded the world community to endeavor to lift sanctions at the nearest possible time.
Lebanese Prime Minister Salim a1-Hoss Friday lauded the outcome of talks held by the joint higher Egyptian-Lebanese committee, highlighting the spirit of understanding which prevailed during the meetings.
Hoss said his talks with Ebeid took up the distinguished political relations, adding that Lebanon was still gaining Egypt's full support in the various situations.
During his meeting with the Egyptian press delegation, Hoss said the political communique issued in the wake of the joint committee meetings reflected the identity of viewpoints vis-a-vis the various political issues, especially the projected unconditional Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon.
Hoss said the joint communique made it clear that the Israeli pullout should include the Shebaa farms.
"Lebanon insists of a full and unconditioned Israeli withdrawal from all territories including Shebaa farms," said Hoss, adding that the issue was discussed with UN envoy, during his recent visit to Lebanon, and in contacts with the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
Hoss lauded Egypt and praised the joint communiqué released, marking the conclusion of meetings of the Egyptian- Lebanese Higher Committee, in support of his country.
Asked about the need to hold an Arab summit to face Israeli foul plays, Hoss said such a summit should be held to provide support to all Arab negotiators and all tracks.
On the possible need for an Arab tour to mobilize support for Lebanon, Hoss voiced readiness to do whatever it took for the good of his country.
"Lebanon provided the UN on Thursday with new documents proving that Shaba farms were Lebanese territory as agreed upon between Lebanon and Syria," said Hoss.
He lauded national unity which was quite evident in the enormous support for the resistance which, he said, "has for the first time forced Israel to flee from occupied territories".
"As soon as the Israeli withdrawal is completed, all efforts will be directed to rehabilitate the south," said Hoss.
He pointed out that a plan had been set by the UN Development Program (UNDP) and that a task force was formed to address means to implement it.
"The rehabilitation of the south will cost more than $1 billion and several countries including Japan, Italy and the EU have voiced readiness to pitch in with contributions," said Hoss.
He called on Arab states to contribute to rehabilitation of the south.
Asked about the post-peace era, Hoss said there is a difference between a settlement and peace. He pointed out that peace should be characterized by stability and that it could never be reached unless all pending Arab-Israeli issues were resolved.
Hoss singled out the questions of Palestinian refugees and Jerusalem. He said that to reach a true stability, any solution to the problem of refugees should be based on their right to return home. "Any solution to the issue of Jerusalem should be based on the restoration of the Arab identity of the holy city," added Hoss.
He underlined the inseparability of the Lebanese and Syrian tracks, adding that Lebanon would not conclude a peaceful settlement with Israel without Syria and vice versa.
Asked about the need for a written Syrian acceptance of Lebanon's ownership of Shebaa farms, Hoss stressed that Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk a1-Shara gave clear-cut statements in that respect. However, he noted, if the UN needs such a document, Syria will surely provide it.
"The documents submitted to the UN show that both countries were in agreement over borders in this area," said Hoss.
He voiced hope that Egyptian and Lebanese businessmen would play greater role in the implementation of joint projects in the two countries.
The Lebanese Premier added that Egypt and Lebanon had signed an agreement on the Arab Free Zone and agreed to further their economic and trade ties.
"It was agreed to cut down customs tariffs on Arab products 10 % annually in order to have all customs barriers fully eliminated in ten years time," said Hoss.
Asked about the fate of pro-Israel South Lebanon Army (SLA), Hoss said militiamen have been fighting the Lebanese people and thus the Lebanese government has no alternative but to enforce the rules of law.
He called on the lackeys of Israel to turn themselves up to judiciary authorities, promising fair trial.
On future role of Hezbollah, Hoss described it as a prominent party that would carry out its activities as a political party.
Prime Minister Atef Ebeid inaugurated on Friday afternoon the Electricity Power Station at Dir Nabouh, to the northeast of Tripoli, which was demolished by the Israeli aggression last February.
The power plant was repaired by Egyptian experts and technicians in an internationally unprecedented short time. Foreign experts had set on eight months the time needed for repairing the damaged station.
In a speech marking the inauguration of the power plant, Ebeid lauded the close relations binding Egypt and Lebanon.
He reaffirmed Egypt's standing by the Lebanese government in its reconstruction drive.
Ebeid said he came to Lebanon with a message of love from the Egyptian people to a nation struggling against the Israeli occupation and keen on repairing all damage inflicted on them by the Jewish state war machines.
"I deliver to you a message of love and appreciation from President Hosni Mubarak who directed me the day after the (Israeli) aggression to recruit Egyptian electricity expertise to join hands with Lebanese experts and workers in eliminating the destruction inflicted by Israel on Lebanon's infrastructure.
"Egypt's electricity experts and workers competed to come to Lebanon to share the honorable responsibility of returning light to the land of light," said Ebeid.
"This was an opportunity to reaffirm to the Lebanese people our pledges and assert, through action, that reconstruction of Lebanon is an extension to the same drive in Egypt," he added.
Ebeid vowed that Egypt's rank and file will continue to back the people and government of Lebanon.
Speaking on behalf of Al-Hoss, Trabolsi said that the area of Dir Nabouh is a symbol of Egyptian-Lebanese efforts in building what has been devastated by ongoing Israeli aggressions on our soil.
"President Hosni Mubarak's visit to Lebanon opened the door for more support and aid by other Arab countries," said Trabolsi. He recalled that the Arab Foreign Ministers Council meeting, which has been recently hosted by Beirut, made a number of decisions to reaffirm Lebanon's rights.
The Minister paid tribute to the Egyptian technical teams for their tireless efforts in repairing the damaged power stations.
Ebeid underlined the importance of political commitment in the privatization process. "Unless the political decision is taken in a clear and resolved way, no investments will be attracted and no workers and society will be rallied behind it," said Ebeid in a meeting on Friday with members of the 6th annual Investment and Capital Markets conference.
"The electricity and communications companies are now put on sale in "chips" and following will have partial shares of the oil distribution and refinery companies," said Ebeid.
"The following stage will be selling of all the companies working in the economic field," said Ebeid, voicing hope "that by the end of the year the state would have sold its shares in the joint banks".
He warned of the dangers of external debts when the state is unable to be solved to the interests and likewise of the light short-term loans which have no records in the developing countries.