Lebanese PM: Mubarak calms region, stands by us
At end of meeting held between Egyptian, Lebanese leaders in Sinai, Hariri says he spoke with his host about 'Israeli threats' against his country and Syria. He points finger at Jewish state as 'standing against peace'
Several days after the Egyptian foreign minister classified Israel as nothing less than an enemy, an especially icy wind continues to emanate from Israel's southern neighbor. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri met Tuesday with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Sharm a-Sheikh.
At the end of the meeting, the Lebanese leader reported that his Egyptian host told him his country "will also stand alongside Lebanon and Syria against Israel." It should be noted that Hariri referred mainly to Egypt's moral support of Lebanon.
Lebanese media outlets reported that Hariri said at the end of the meeting that Mubarak "is making personal contacts in a bid to prevent conflict from breaking out in the region in general, and against Lebanon in particular," and accused Israel, saying "its stubbornness and opposition to the peace process is unacceptable."
Also according to the report, the meeting between the two leaders lasted about an hour. At the end of the meeting, Hariri told the media, "The meeting was very good. I asked after his wellbeing, and, as always, derived great benefit from his far-reaching wisdom and vision on the developments in the region."
Hariri also noted that a significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing relations with Israel. "We also discussed the Israeli threats against Lebanon and Syria. I updated him regarding the international talks we are in order to protect Lebanon on the backdrop of these threats," Hariri said.
Israel demands explanation
In light of the growing tension between Cairo and Jerusalem, Ynet learned Tuesday that Israel's Ambassador to Egypt Yitzhak Levanon submitted an official protest over statements made by Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, who described Israel as an "enemy state" during a visit to Lebanon. Levanon demanded a clarification of the matter.
In a press conference in Beirut on Tuesday, the Egyptian minister was asked whether the visit was intended as a warning message from Israel to Lebanon. Aboul Gheit denied and said the purpose of his trip was not to relay messages "from the enemy to a sister Arab state."
He stressed that Egypt would stand by Syria and Lebanon should they be attacked.
The statement was featured in headlines in a line of Arab newspapers, including the London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat and al-Hayat, the Saudi al-Madina, the Kuwaiti al-Rai and more. Egyptian media chose to downplay the remarks.
