Lebanon’s Aoun Visits Cairo Amid Push for Regional Security Partnerships

Lebanon’s Aoun Visits Cairo Amid Push for Regional Security Partnerships

| Monday 19 May 2025

Lebanon’s Aoun Visits Cairo Amid Push for Regional Security Partnerships

Talks on Security, Economic Cooperation

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun arrived in Cairo on Monday, kicking off an official visit to Egypt at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The visit is seen as part of Beirut’s broader push to strengthen regional partnerships and secure support for its armed forces amid heightened regional tensions.

Aoun headed directly to the Ittihadiya Palace for talks with President Sisi, with security cooperation high on the agenda.

In an interview with Egypt’s ON TV ahead of his visit, Aoun said he would formally request Egypt’s assistance in enhancing the Lebanese Army’s capabilities, particularly in detecting explosives and dismantling underground tunnels, a growing concern along Lebanon’s southern border.

“The need to empower our army is more pressing than ever in light of regional challenges,” Aoun said, emphasizing his administration’s focus on reinforcing Lebanon’s security institutions.

He also addressed the contentious issue of Hezbollah’s weapons, acknowledging the group’s political role as part of the Lebanese Parliament while noting that his relationship with it remains indirect. Aoun reiterated his longstanding position that all arms in the country should eventually come under state authority.

However, he insisted that the disarmament process must be gradual and based on internal consensus.

“Dialogue, not confrontation, is the only way forward,” Aoun said, ruling out quick fixes or forced disarmament.

Aoun once again reiterated that the Lebanese state alone must control decisions of war and peace. While no clear timeline exists for achieving full weapons control, he maintained that the process is underway and rooted in national dialogue.

“Only the state can hold the authority to make such critical decisions,” he said.

The Lebanese president also highlighted Egypt’s historical role as a stabilizing force in the region and a longstanding partner of Lebanon.

“Egypt has consistently stood by us in times of crisis,” Aoun said, expressing gratitude to President Sisi for his continued support of the Lebanese Army and public institutions.

He underscored Lebanon’s interest in learning from Egypt’s economic recovery experience, particularly in reconstruction and defense cooperation, and announced plans to reactivate the Egyptian-Lebanese Higher Joint Committee to deepen bilateral ties.

Aoun stressed that his government’s current reform agenda aims to build a sovereign and independent state.

“These reforms are based on our internal priorities, not imposed from outside,” he said.

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