President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has reiterated to Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Saad Al-Hariri Egypt's support to Beirut, expressing his well wishes to Al-Hariri in forming a new cabinet in a manner that fulfils the aspirations of the Lebanese people to achieve security and stability.

El-Sisi received on Wednesday Al-Hariri, who is on an official visit to Egypt, atthe Ittihadiya Presidential Palace in Cairo.

El-Sisi voiced Cairo's readiness to offer all sorts of support and assistance to overcome the crises facing Lebanon, especially the ramifications caused by both the massive 4 August explosion in Beirut's port and the coronavirus pandemic.

El-Sisi reaffirmed to Al-Hariri Egypt's stance toward enhancing cooperation with Beirut, the Egyptian Presidential Spokesperson Bassam Rady said.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Head of Egypt's General Intelligence Service Abbas Kamel, said Rady.



Al-Hariri was named premier for a fourth time in October after his successor stepped down.

He has pledged to quickly form a new cabinet comprised of specialists that would enact reforms and save the country from economic collapse.

During the meeting, Al-Hariri highlighted the "strong historical" ties that unit Cairo and Beirut.



He expressed his county's appreciation of Egypt’s effort to support his nation amid the challenges facing the Lebanese people on the political, economic and humanitarian levels, especially by providing all forms of aid in the wake of the explosion.



"Egypt is a fundamental pillar in preserving stability in the Arab region," Al-Hariri said.



He also praised the Egyptian experience that gave priority to the success of economic reform and development, saying "it is a model to be emulated in the region."

Egypt has sent a number of airlifts carrying medical supplies and humanitarian aid as part of an open-air bridge it launched after the August explosion, which killed an excess of 200 people and devastated swathes of the capital.

Lebanon's economic woes were exacerbated in 2020 by the pandemic, as rising infection rates in the country led to a coronavirus lockdown nationwide earlier this month in a bid by the government to stem the spread of the virus.

The lockdown has led to several protests this week, as popular frustration over the restrictions grew.

Egypt also sent tons of medicine and medical supplies to help Lebanon fight the coronavirus pandemic.

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