This came during a phone call between the two top diplomats on Sunday amid continued Israeli attacks on UNIFIL force in south Lebanon as part of its deadly airstrikes on the country that has killed more than 3,000 and wounded nearly 14,000.

According to a statement from the Egyptian foreign ministry, the phone call was part of ongoing coordination and consultation efforts between Cairo and Paris to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.

Both ministers discussed implementing the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1701 by all parties without selectivity.  

UN Security Council Resolution 1701 was passed to end the 2006 Israeli-Lebanese war by ensuring full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and allowing the Lebanese army and UNIFIL forces south of the Litani River.  

Meanwhile, FM Abdelatty condemned the repeated Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty and the targeting of the United Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). 

Established by the Security Council in March 1978, UNIFIL was tasked with confirming full Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon after repeated Israeli invasions of the country in 1978, 1982, and 2006.

Its mandate includes restoring international peace and security and supporting the Lebanese government in reestablishing its effective authority in the region.

Egypt's top diplomat stressed to his French counterpart the need to respect Lebanese sovereignty, the unity and integrity of its territories, and support Lebanese institutions. 

Additionally, both ministers addressed the efforts of both countries to reach an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and provide urgent relief aid amidst the worsening humanitarian crisis, the statement noted.

The ministers also discussed the presidential vacancy and the importance of quickly electing a consensus president for Lebanon.  

Save Gaza
 

Both ministers reviewed current efforts to reach an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza war, which killed and wounded more than 150,000 Palestinians since 7 October 2023.

They also discussed means to ensure unfettered entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza amid a deadly Israeli embargo on the entry of most food, water, and medicine to the strip that left most of the 2.3 million population on the verge of starvation.

Egypt's top diplomat also highlighted the need to end the Israeli occupation, address the roots of the conflict, and establish a contiguous Palestinian state on the 4 June, 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital. 

Fm Abdelatty also emphasized to Barrotthe the importance of empowering the Palestinian Authority, the statement added.