Egypt steps in to calm tensions in Lebanon - Assalamualaikum
Assalamualaikum. Egypt has quickly stepped up to help calm rising tensions in Lebanon and work toward an Israeli withdrawal, building on its recent role in securing a ceasefire in Gaza, according to Lebanese and Egyptian sources. Egypt’s intelligence chief, Hassan Rashad, visited Beirut this week and told senior Lebanese officials that Cairo is ready to help stabilise southern Lebanon, which Israel continues to strike frequently despite last year’s ceasefire with Hezbollah.
Israeli forces are still present at several strategic sites in the south, violating the agreement, and attacks on the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon have increased recently. One Lebanese political source said Egypt moved now because of the momentum after the successful Gaza agreement negotiated with the help of the US, Qatar and others.
Egypt’s aims, sources say, are to stop Israeli strikes, mediate a durable truce and prevent Lebanon from sliding into civil conflict over the sensitive issue of Hezbollah’s weapons. Part of Cairo’s concern is to avoid weakening Lebanon’s Sunni community if tensions over Hezbollah’s arsenal turn into open fighting.
Sources add that Hezbollah and its allies are unlikely to give up their arms, and attempts to disarm them forcibly could trigger wider internal conflict. A Hezbollah official said the group did not meet with Egypt’s intelligence chief but welcomed any move toward reinforcing the ceasefire.
Lebanon faces heavy diplomatic pressure to re-establish state control and disarm the Iran-backed group; US envoys have warned that slow progress could lead Israel to act alone. Intelligence shared among international partners suggests Israel believes Hezbollah may be trying to regroup, which could prompt further Israeli operations.
Egypt is presenting itself as a brotherly mediator, trying to warn Lebanese leaders of the seriousness of the situation and offer a constructive role. However, efforts to rescue Lebanon with economic and political incentives have faced obstacles, including reluctance from some parties to change the status quo.
Under the ceasefire deal, Israeli troops were supposed to withdraw from the south while Hezbollah would pull back north of the Litani and dismantle military infrastructure in the south, leaving the Lebanese army and international forces to operate there. The Lebanese army has made progress in parts of the south, but Hezbollah resists talks about its weapons while Israeli occupation and bombing continue in some areas. Disarmament elsewhere in Lebanon remains complicated and sensitive.
Egypt has been part of a group of countries that helped guide Lebanon back to electing a president after a long vacancy. Mr Rashad was one of several senior envoys who visited Beirut this week to discuss stabilisation and ways to build on the Gaza ceasefire and recent diplomatic gatherings in Egypt.
Egyptian officials have expressed full confidence in Lebanon’s leadership and emphasised the need to end Israeli occupation of remaining positions in southern Lebanon so there is no pretext for continued fighting. May Allah grant peace and protection to the people of Lebanon and Palestine, and guide leaders toward justice and stability.
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