Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a stern warning against further regional escalation during a meeting with the United States’ top military officer, General Charles “CQ” Brown, on Sunday. The meeting took place as cross-border hostilities between Israel and Lebanon intensified, raising concerns about a broader conflict in the Middle East.
Sisi cautioned against the dangers of opening a new front in Lebanon, emphasizing the importance of maintaining Lebanon’s stability and sovereignty, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency.
The discussions in Egypt with General Brown, who serves as the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, occurred just hours after Israel conducted air strikes on Lebanon. These strikes were described by Israel as preemptive actions against potential attacks from the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, heightening fears of a regional war.
As a key mediator, Egypt has consistently called for restraint and de-escalation. The United States, Israel’s primary arms supplier, has stated that its military is prepared to support its ally.
The visit by General Brown comes amid ongoing talks in Cairo, set to be attended by CIA Director William Burns, aimed at achieving a truce in the Gaza Strip. However, the possibility of a ceasefire has appeared increasingly uncertain.
During the meeting, Sisi called for a decisive response from the international community and stronger support for joint Egyptian-American-Qatari efforts to secure a ceasefire and facilitate a hostage-prisoner exchange. This, he said, would pave the way for calm and stability in the region.
An official from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office indicated that a decision would be made later in the day regarding the participation of Israeli intelligence chiefs in the Cairo talks.
Hamas has stated that a delegation will travel to Cairo but only for discussions with Egyptian officials, rather than participating in broader negotiations. Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah is scheduled to address the “latest developments” at 6:00 pm (1500 GMT), according to the group.
