Egypt and France Warn of Extensive Israeli Action... Rifi to 'An-Nahar': All Initiatives Converge on Weapons

A targeted truck in Siblīn, Mount Lebanon (AFP).

Amid the flurry of Western, Arab, and Gulf activity, questions arose about some strongly proposed initiatives, especially the Egyptian one, which gained significant attention through the visit of Egyptian Intelligence Chief Major General Hassan Rashad to Beirut. After meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he conveyed to Lebanese officials information indicating that Israel would launch a major aggression against Lebanon. Following him came Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aati, who also briefed those he met on Cairo's intelligence that Israel is preparing for military action. Recently, Egypt has been very clear, naming things as they are. The head of the Egyptian mission in Tel Aviv had information he relayed to his country, not to mention the intensified meetings and contacts of the Egyptian ambassador to Lebanon, Alaa Moussa, for this purpose.

So, has the Egyptian initiative, which intersected with Parisian intelligence conveyed by its envoy, the personal representative of President Emmanuel Macron, Jean-Yves Le Drian, indicating that France has information aligning with the Israelis about an imminent war on Lebanon, come to an end? Is there coordination with France, the United States, and Saudi Arabia?

According to high-level sources, Cairo coordinates with Washington, Paris, and Saudi Arabia, aiming to prevent war on Lebanon. For this purpose, Egypt's role continues with Tel Aviv and all capitals concerned with Lebanese affairs, which delays the aggression.

In this context, MP Ashraf Rifi told 'An-Nahar': "My information suggests we are in the final stages. The Egyptian initiative is ongoing, and Cairo's role is supportive of Lebanon and appreciated. What I have learned is that after completing the formation of the 'Mechanism' committee and its political reinforcement, the visit of Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa to Washington, then the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to the activity of American envoys and others, and what Le Drian said, which aligned with the American position of not meeting any Hezbollah official and emphasizing the exclusivity of weapons, everything has become clear. There is a strict international stance on handing over the party's weapons to the Lebanese state and dismantling its military wing. Iran is finished and trying to play the Hezbollah card and sell it. Hezbollah is finished, as is Tehran. What we hear from Iranian officials is a search for a role in Lebanon through the Hezbollah card and continuing to undermine security and stability, but they can no longer take any step because they have lost all their cards."

He notes that "all Egyptian, American, and French initiatives converge on one goal: the weapons, then the weapons, and dismantling Hezbollah's military wing. No matter how much its Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem shouts to boost morale and political maneuvers, he will not be able to continue these tricks that deceive no one. They have destroyed their environment and Lebanon; they must hand over the weapons."

Rifi concludes that "Egypt continues its efforts, as do Washington, Paris, and Saudi Arabia, and there is harmony among all these roles. Information confirms that Hezbollah can no longer continue with this rigid stance, and the same applies to Tehran. Everyone is telling them enough."