Amid escalating tensions in Lebanon and cautious expectations for the future, there has been increasing talk of an Egyptian initiative aimed at finding a solution to the Lebanese crisis. However, informed political sources told Red TV that much of what is being circulated about this initiative and the reality of the relationship between Egypt and Hezbollah requires careful examination.
The sources indicated that there is a significant difference between what the head of Egyptian intelligence, Major General Hassan Rashad, presented, and what the Egyptian Foreign Minister later conveyed to Beirut. They pointed out that the second proposal was far from any possibility of acceptance on the ground, because it relies on an unfair deal: handing over weapons south of the Litani River in exchange for ending Israeli attacks, then negotiating the rest of the weapons in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal and the release of more prisoners.
The sources confirmed that these proposals did not receive the approval of Hezbollah, because they go beyond the ceasefire decision and Security Council Resolution 1701, and make any negotiations in light of the continuation of military operations tantamount to dictation from a stronger party to a weaker party.
The sources also denied the validity of news circulating in the media about secret visits by members of Hezbollah to Cairo, and clarified that communication with the Egyptian side was limited to a meeting between MP Muhammad Raad and the Egyptian ambassador in Beirut, while recent visits were limited to Turkey and Doha.
