Egypt's efforts to achieve stability in Lebanon and the reconstruction of a country torn by wars with Israel and civil fighting were at the focus of talks on Tuesday between President Hosni Mubarak and Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Their talks highlighted the latest developments in Lebanon in the contexts of the local and international arenas, Egypt's official Middle East News Agency (MENA) reported on Tuesday. It added that Hariri had congratulated Mubarak on his recovery from a gallbladder operation he underwent in Germany last month. Hariri told reporters after the talks that he had discussed with Mubarak Israeli threats against both Lebanon and Syria. Also on Tuesday, Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit sent a letter to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in which he stressed "the importance of the US's role in calming tension and preventing a conflict that will exact a price from Lebanon". Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki stated that Abul Gheit had told Clinton that Lebanon would “pay a dire price” in case of a confrontation in which the Lebanese authorities had no hand. The minister expressed concern that the situation in Lebanon would deteriorate into armed clashes with Israel, as happened in the summer of 2006. According to the ministry's spokesman, the Abul Gheit stressed in his letter that Egypt stands by Lebanon. “Cairo is also seeking to keep Lebanon away from danger that potentially threatens its stability and development,” said Zaki. He added that Abul Gheit had brought up the subject with his Arab and European counterparts in Luxembourg, “who expressed their understanding of the need to protect Lebanon from dangerous tensions”. Abul Gheit made a one-day visit to Beirut on Saturday, when he met with top officials and party leaders.
