Beirut - Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit has
offered his country's assistance in rebuilding Lebanon's army, in a
bid to improve security amid ongoing sectarian tensions.
North Lebanon has witnessed in the past two months repeated
clashes between Sunni followers of the western-backed government and
others loyal to the opposition, led by Hezbollah.
The Egyptian official expressed readiness that his country 'would
help in rebuilding the capabilities of the Lebanese army and the
security sector.' Abul Gheit was speaking in Beirut following a
meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora.
Abul Gheit expressed his concern about the situation in the north
of the country, where clashes between rival factions have recently
taken place.
'We are worried about the situation in Lebanon, particularly
Tripoli in north Lebanon,' he said.
'The message is that you have to be careful so that the situation
in Tripoli does not blow up. All sides should act along calculations
that do not lead to collisions between brethren and members of the
one people,' Abul Gheit advised.
'The Egyptian support would help the Lebanese Army shoulder its
responsibilities,' he added.
Egypt has 'major capabilities in this respect,' he stressed.
Cairo, he pointed out, 'has its relations with all regional and
international parties and we hope to take part in calming down' the
Lebanon situation.
Abul Gheit, who arrived in Beirut for a one-day visit, also met
with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and House Speaker Nabih
Berri.
Egypt is also trying to ease tension between Lebanon and Israel
that has arisen over an exchange of threats, according to Lebanese
officials.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned last week that his
country would hit back harder than in the 2006 war if Hezbollah
guerrillas attacked again.
Hezbollah's leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, threatened in return
on Sunday that the response from his fighters would also be more
fierce than in the 33-day war two years ago.
Abul Gheit said Egyptian officials urged Israel to avoid making
such threats during meetings with visiting Israeli Defence Minister
Ehud Barak on Tuesday.
Abul Gheit added that he also relayed to premier Seniora a
'message about Egypt's readiness' to support Lebanon with electric
power and natural gas.
Meanwhile, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David Hale held
talks on Wednesday with Suleiman, focusing on the exchange of threats
between Lebanon and Israel as well as the internal situation in the
country, Lebanese officials said.
'The talks also focused on the upcoming visit of president
Suleiman to New York next month,' the sources said.
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