Cairo: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun emphasized the importance of ensuring the safe and dignified return of Syrian refugees currently residing in Lebanon back to Syria. This announcement was made during a joint press conference with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo.
According to Anadolu Agency - English, Aoun stated that Lebanon is dedicated to building robust relations with Syria and is committed to working together to tackle shared challenges. To facilitate the refugee return, Lebanon and Syria have agreed to form joint committees aimed at coordinating this process. Aoun expressed Lebanon's unwavering support for initiatives that safeguard Syria's territorial integrity and support the aspirations of its citizens.
During the conference, Aoun also welcomed the decision by US President Donald Trump to lift sanctions on Syria, which could further aid in stabilizing the region. Simultaneously, President Sisi called for immediate international intervention to reconstruct Lebanon and Gaza following recent Israeli assaults. He reaffirmed Egypt's support for Lebanon's quest for internal stability and its sovereignty, condemning Israeli violations of Lebanese territory and occupation of certain areas.
An official statement from the Egyptian presidency highlighted discussions between Sisi and Aoun on strengthening bilateral relations, with a focus on economic development, infrastructure, energy, and reconstruction. President Aoun, who was in Cairo on an official visit, also discussed the potential for Egypt to assist in equipping the Lebanese army, especially in counter-terrorism operations and infrastructure rebuilding.
Aoun's visit comes at a critical time as Lebanon continues to face an economic and financial crisis, deemed by the World Bank as one of the worst globally since 2019. The recent conflict with Israel, which concluded with a ceasefire on November 27, 2024, only exacerbated the situation, causing significant financial losses estimated between $15 billion and $20 billion.
The fragile ceasefire, which ended a period of intense conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, remains delicate with nearly 3,000 reported violations by Israel, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries. Despite the ceasefire agreement, Israel maintains a military presence in southern Lebanon, missing the withdrawal deadline initially set for January 26, now extended to February 18.
As Lebanon navigates these challenges, the collaboration with Syria for the refugees' return and the support from Egypt represent significant steps towards regional stability and recovery.