President Joseph Aoun leaves no diplomatic opening unused in his efforts to spare Lebanon an Israeli strike. Nonetheless, Israeli attacks have not stopped, recently focused on areas north of the Litani River.

Ahead of the meeting between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and U.S. President Donald Trump at the Davos conference, meetings took place between the Lebanese and Egyptian presidencies. Sisi added the Lebanon file to the increasing number of matters concerning his country, from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, to the situation in Gaza, and the future impact of developments on Egypt. Egypt’s ambassador in Beirut, Alaa Moussa, is pursuing diplomatic tracks that strengthen Lebanon’s position, noting that Egypt affords particular attention to Lebanon. Cairo benefits from its good relationship with Washington and its channel of communication with Tel Aviv.

According to diplomatic information obtained by Annahar, Sisi was informed that Lebanon is implementing the government’s plan to collect Hezbollah’s weapons. The same contact emphasized that Israel has not fulfilled everything agreed upon with the Americans—who act as guarantors for the agreement—especially as Israeli violations continue, such as their failure to withdraw from occupied ports.

Cairo emphasized that Lebanon’s difficult reality is largely a result of ongoing Israeli intransigence. Tel Aviv, for its part, claims that it operates according to the Mechanism outlined by its delegation in the Naqoura meetings, while at the same time showing no regard for UNIFIL and pushing for its units to leave by the end of the current year.

When the meeting between Trump and Sisi concluded, an urgent message arrived from Cairo to the Lebanese President in Baabda, described by informed sources as largely positive. It is clear that Trump understands the circumstances of the Lebanese government and the difficulties it faces, amid fears of an expanded Israeli attack. It is also no secret that the Lebanese army is facing various obstacles despite its many successful operations south of the Litani.

In a statement by the Egyptian presidency, it was noted that Sisi stressed to Trump the importance of the American role in stopping attacks and violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty, while emphasizing the extension of Lebanese state authority over all its territory.

Egyptian diplomatic sources confirm that Cairo is conducting a series of diplomatic contacts with the United States and others, seeking to elevate the concerns of the Lebanese state. According to these sources, Cairo will not hesitate to make use of any information that contributes to supporting Lebanon.