Egyptian Ambassador says Cairo contributed to preventing Israeli escalation

BEIRUT — Egyptian Ambassador to Lebanon Alaa Moussa said on Monday he believes Cairo achieved some success, through coordination with its partners, in preventing Israeli military escalation in Lebanon, after the Quintet committee met with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in the Grand Serail. Egypt had launched an initiative in recent months to ease tensions between Lebanon and Israel.

The Quintet committee includes the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt.

Moussa made this remark despite Israel's intensifying attacks against Lebanon, in violation of the cease-fire agreement reached in November 2024. On Sunday, the Israeli army carried out more than 25 strikes on southern Lebanon.

Need the context?

Over 20 Israeli strikes on south Lebanon, residential building in Kfar Hatta targeted despite army and UNIFIL inspection

Moussa said that the five countries' ambassadors discussed with Salam the completion of the first phase of the Lebanese Army's establishment of a monopoly on arms, and affirmed that they stand by the Lebanese state in all the steps it takes.

Last week, the Cabinet tasked the army with preparing the second phase of the disarmament plan, which it will present to the government in February.

"Matters are proceeding well," Moussa noted, adding that while there are no set deadlines, the "state needs to conclude this file as quickly as possible.”

In a statement to MTV, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa expressed his hope that “the second phase of the weapons inventory process in northern Litani will begin quickly and end quickly,” stressing that “the deadline is the most important thing.”

Meanwhile, Salam praised the ambassadors' support for the army’s completion of the first phase, and affirmed the government's firm determination to implement the remaining phases, according to a statement released by the Grand Serail.

“Regarding the Egyptian initiative, Egyptian efforts within the framework of de-escalation in Lebanon and the South are ongoing, and our sole objective is to create conditions that reduce the intensity of escalation," Moussa said. "We are pursuing these efforts out of our conviction that if matters were left without Egyptian and non-Egyptian efforts, the chances of escalation would be greater. They can only succeed if they are accompanied by action on the part of the Lebanese state, particularly on issues foremost among them the confinement of weapons."

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Moussa said that this matter must be concluded as quickly as possible, recalling what President Joseph Aoun said on Sunday, noting that Salam reaffirmed this today.

With regard to the situation in the South after the UNIFIL's withdrawal, Moussa said that this issue is still under discussion. "What we are currently working on is arranging the situation in a way that ensures — both for the Lebanese state and Lebanon’s partners — that conditions remain stable and secure after UNIFIL’s departure, in cooperation with the Lebanese Army or through other ideas that are being discussed in the current context."

Moussa also said that the Quintet Committee discussed with Salam economic reforms and the financial gap law, noting that this "law is a step in the right direction toward restoring the trust of international institutions once again, as well as rebuilding the confidence of partners with regard to the economic aspect."

"We also hope that in the coming period, when the draft law is presented to Parliament, it will receive constructive and objective discussion, leading to an outcome that meets the aspirations of the Lebanese state and its vision," he added.

In December, the government approved the financial gap draft law, tackling the return of deposits, after reviewing provisions that were still pending. It was then signed by Aoun and sent to Parliament, which will debate it and add any necessary amendments at a still-unknown date.

Moussa added that discussions revolved around the parliamentary elections, scheduled for May 2026, saying that the Quintet expressed hope that they will be held on time. "This constitutional deadline is important to restore regular institutional functioning after a period of vacuum, and we support every step in this direction," he said.