STORY: Egyptian, Lebanese FMs say Israel's escalation impedes security, stability efforts
SHOOTING TIME: Aug. 6, 2024
DATELINE: Aug. 7, 2024
LENGTH: 00:00:59
LOCATION: Cairo
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry headquarters
2. various of the joint press conference
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): BADR ABDELATTY, Egyptian Foreign Minister
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): ABDALLAH BOU HABIB, Lebanese Foreign Minister

STORYLINE: 

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his visiting Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib on Tuesday discussed the recent developments in the Middle East, saying that Israel's escalating moves impede security and stability efforts in the region.

In a televised press conference in Cairo, the two top diplomats agreed that the recent Israeli escalation has impeded all efforts to maintain regional security and stability and reflects Israel's intentions to prolong the conflict.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): BADR ABDELATTY, Egyptian Foreign Minister
"Egypt is a main regional power, so normally there should be mutual coordination and consultation. There is for sure agreement regarding the importance of taking an immediate action to stop the escalation and contain any serious repercussions on the security and stability in the region."

Abdelatty stressed that "Egypt will continue to urge all parties of the conflict to be committed to self-restraint and to avoid dragging the region into a comprehensive war."

He reaffirmed "Egypt's condemnation and rejection of the political assassination policies and the targeting of other countries' sovereignty," highlighting "Egypt's fixed stand for supporting Lebanon through communicating with regional players."

For his part, Bou Habib extended appreciation to the Egyptian government and people for their support for Lebanon at this critical time.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): ABDALLAH BOU HABIB, Lebanese Foreign Minister
"We work on avoiding reaching, through any response, an all-out war, because this will never help any country or even Israel."

"We value the Egyptian efforts that seek to stop the escalation and push for calm in the south of Lebanon," the Lebanese foreign minister said.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Cairo.
(XHTV)