By Ahmed Abbas, Egypt is
committed to enforcing economic cooperation with Lebanon, President
Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi said during his meeting with Lebanese parliamentary
speaker Nabih Berri. Al-Sisi praised the activities of the Lebanese workers abroad, especially in West Africa.

Berri said the next few years should see more investments between
Egypt and Lebanon, pointing out that Lebanese investors are eager to
benefit from investment opportunities in Egypt, especially as Lebanese
investors are active in Africa. Regarding Lebanon’s internal position, Berri emphasised the
importance of ending the conflict between opposing Lebanese parties and
electing a president as soon as possible.

The stability of all Arab countries is very important to Egypt,
Al-Sisi confirmed. Current efforts should focus on achieving national
unity in Lebanon, he added.

Regarding the Syrian war, Al-Sisi affirmed that a political solution should be achieved to maintain regional unity.

Lebanon has faced political unrest over the past year as its
parliament has failed to elect a president for two years. Further, the
Lebanese party Hezbollah was designated a terrorist group by the Arab
League last month.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said last month that the Arab League’s
recent decision is related to perceived acts of terrorism, but the
group remains a domestic issue in Lebanon.

In an interview with local newspaper Al-Youm Al-Sabaa, Shoukry said
Hezbollah is considered a terrorist group in some countries, but has no
classification in the international community as, according to the
minister, the international community has not yet agreed on a unified
definition for terrorism.

Shoukry also added that the Egyptian stance toward Hezbollah comes
within the context of some acts of the party being considered acts of
terrorism, but he insisted that the issue is a domestic, Lebanese
concern.