El-Sisi praises Lebanon’s efforts to extend state authority in call with Aoun

CAIRO – 18 April 2026: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Saturday praised Lebanon’s efforts to extend the authority of its national institutions across the entire country, during a phone call with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

El-Sisi welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon, commending efforts to restore security and stability and to ensure the ceasefire sustainability, the Egyptian Presidency said in a statement.

During the call, El-Sisi highlighted Egypt’s efforts to support Lebanon and to distance it from regional tensions and crises. He reaffirmed Egypt’s full rejection of any attacks on Lebanon’s security, sovereignty, or the interests of its people.

The Lebanese president, for his part, expressed appreciation for Egypt’s consistent solidarity with Lebanon and its backing for the Lebanese people, thanking El-Sisi for his continued support.

Aoun also briefed El-Sisi on developments in direct negotiations brokered by the United States.

He stressed the Lebanese state’s commitment to reaching a peaceful, fair and sustainable political settlement that preserves the country’s sovereignty, security, unity, and territorial integrity.

The two leaders agreed to intensify coordination between Cairo and Beirut, according to the statement.

Lebanon and Israel agreed on a 10-day ceasefire on Thursday following US-brokered talks between the two governments, pausing Israeli strikes that killed hundreds across Lebanon since March.

According to a US State Department statement, the truce is intended to enable good-faith negotiations toward a permanent security and peace agreement.

The statement said all parties recognize that Lebanon’s security forces bear exclusive responsibility for the country’s sovereignty and national defense, adding that “no other country or group has claim to be the guarantor of Lebanon’s sovereignty.”

Under the deal, the Lebanese government is committed to taking “meaningful steps” to prevent Hezbollah and other non-state armed groups from launching attacks against Israeli targets.