Egypt's Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly said Sunday he will visit Beirut next month to advance talks on strengthening ties with Lebanon, pledging Cairo's full support for the country's stability and reconstruction while condemning Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon. Speaking during a press conference after co-chairing the 10th session of the Egyptian–Lebanese Joint Higher Committee with his Lebanese counterpart Nawaf Salam, Madbouly said Egypt remained "fully committed to supporting Lebanon's sovereignty and political stability" and would continue to back the country's efforts towards recovery. "We are following developments in Lebanon closely and reject any Israeli presence on Lebanese territory," Madbouly said, adding that Egyptian companies are ready to take part in rebuilding southern Lebanon once conditions allow. Madbouly said Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi had directed his government to provide "every possible form of support" to Lebanon in the coming period, emphasising Cairo's desire to elevate the relationship to a strategic partnership. "We are fully aware of the depth of Lebanon's energy needs," the Egyptian prime minister said. "This issue touches the lives of every Lebanese citizen, and we are determined to expand our cooperation in this vital sector." Bilateral trade between Egypt and Lebanon reached $1 billion last year, up nearly 30 percent from 2023, Madbouly said, adding that both sides aimed to double that figure through closer private sector cooperation, particularly in energy, pharmaceuticals, and construction. Senior ministers from both governments attended the talks, which also focused on cooperation in housing, utilities, and infrastructure. Lebanese officials invited Egyptian companies to participate in Beirut One: Investor Conference, set for 18-19 November, which will spotlight investment opportunities in reconstruction and public works. Madbouly said Egypt's upcoming visit to Beirut would "build on the long history of shared ties and solidarity" between the two nations — a partnership, he added, "rooted in mutual trust and regional stability." Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
