Egypt's Sisi urges Lebanese to avoid tension

 Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday stressed the need to avoid all aspects of tensions and sectarian strife in Lebanon, Presidential Spokesman Ambassador Bassam Radhi said.

Sisi's comments came during his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who is participating in the four-day World Youth Forum in Sharm al-Sheikh resort city.

The Egyptian president reiterated his rejection of any interference in Lebanon's internal affairs, reiterating Egypt's support for Lebanon in maintaining its security and stability in face of current challenges.

He also underlined the importance of reaching agreement among the various Lebanese factions in order to reach a political agreement.

On Saturday, Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced his resignation claiming that it stemmed from a "rejection of Iran's political over-extension in the region."

He made the announcement in an unexpected move in a televised statement he read from the Saudi capital Riyadh.

His "country would be able to overcome political influence exerted by internal and external forces," he said, adding that the "Islamic Republic (of Iran) has a desire to destroy the Arab world and has boasted of its control over the decisions of Arab capitals."

"Iran's hand would be cut off," Hariri said, adding that "Lebanon would not play a role in destabilizing the region."

He also implicated Lebanese Hezbollah Shiite group in what he views as Iran's race to regional domination.

source: Xinhua