Egypt FM Meets Hariri, Urges Formation of 'Consensus Govt.'

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Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held talks Friday with Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri at the Center House and called for the speedy formation of a “consensus government” in Lebanon.

“It was a fruitful meeting during which I held with the prime minister a detailed discussion on the bilateral ties between Egypt and Lebanon. We also tackled the Arab and regional situations,” Shoukry said after the meeting.

He added: “I underlined Egypt's stance which supports Lebanon's security and stability and backs the formation of a consensus Lebanese government as soon as possible, not because this is a foreign demand, but rather because it would achieve the interest of Lebanon and the Lebanese before anything else.”

Shoukry said he also agreed with Hariri on “intensifying bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Lebanon.”

“The current cooperation between the two countries represents key support for the economies of the two countries and there are possibilities to develop this cooperation in vital sectors, such as energy and other fields,” the minister added.

“I relayed to the PM the greetings and appreciation of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his pledge that cooperation will continue on all fronts,” Shoukry went on to say.

The minister had earlier in the day participated in the opening session of Beirut's Arab Economic and Social Development Summit.

SourceNaharnet