President Hosni Mubarak held talks with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad el-Hariri yesterday in Sharm el-Sheikh, discussing Egypt's efforts toward stability and reconstruction in Lebanon, as well as reviving peace efforts in Middle East and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinians in the occupied territories. Egypt has intensified communications and diplomatic missions with the United States and permanent members of the UN Security Council to ensure that it stands beside Lebanon in countering any tension that could threaten its stability, and requesting their intervention to avert any development that may lead to new confrontation. Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Abul Gheit wrote to his American counterpart Hillary Clinton explaining his fears during his last visit to Lebanon about a deterioration that may lead to a recurrence of the military confrontation took place in the summer of 2006, when Israel bombed and invaded Lebanon while Lebanese militants from the Hizbullah group fired rockets on Israel. Hossam Zaki, an official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Abul Gheit emphasized in his letter to Clinton the importance for the US to avoid any situation that may lead to confrontation, which would only be paid for by the Lebanese people. He added that Abul Gheit had expressed the worries of many Lebanese regarding currents developments, media escalation, and other forms of tension that indicate danger. Zaki also clarified that Abul Gheit had written to other foreign ministers of countries which have permanent membership in the UN Security Council, as well as other international parties with an interest in or influence on Lebanese affairs, indicating also that Abul Gheit raised the same issue during a dinner in Luxembourg on Monday with European and Arab foreign ministers, at which a consensus was expressed on the necessity of protecting Lebanon from an eruption of the current tensions. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
