Report: Abdelatty carried a 'clear and direct threat' to Lebanon

In the vein of U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning to Hamas prior to the signing of the Gaza agreement, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty carried a “clear and direct threatening message” to Beirut during his visit to the country, al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Thursday.

According to senior sources, officials in Lebanon had received days ago information about an Egyptian initiative based on “freezing the function of weapons and pledging not to carry out any hostile acts against Israel, in return for the start of withdrawal from some points occupied by the enemy and freeing a number of captives, in order to pave the way for the negotiations course.”

“This is what (Egyptian intelligence chief) Maj. Gen. Hassan Rashad had told Lebanese officials,” the sources added.

But Lebanese officials were “surprised that what Abdelatty carried was different and leaning toward supporting the Israeli demands, with the Egyptian minister shifting from the principle of ‘freezing weapons’ to ‘removing weapons’ across Lebanon, with an immediate start from the area extending from South Litani to the al-Awali River,” the sources said.

Describing his visit as “unsuccessful,” the sources said Abdelatty spoke unambiguously with those he met with, saying that disarmament should begin north of the Litani and that the Lebanese should find a practical exit with Hezbollah, which would at least begin with a clear declaration of intent from Hezbollah on its willingness to hand over weapons.”

Abdelatty also “addressed an invitation to direct negotiations with the Israelis in Cairo,” warning of “an Israeli escalation that has become certain before the year’s end.”

Al-Akhbar also said that a number of MPs who attended a dinner banquet with Abdelatty were surprised by him telling them that he had been informed by Israeli officials that a new war on Lebanon would be broad and destructive.

“I have discussed the matter with Israeli officials and they informed me that they have taken a decision to carry out a strike on Lebanon that will not be limited to an aerial assault, but will also involve a ground operation and the striking of hundreds of targets,” the Egyptian minister said loudly during the dinner, according to al-Akhbar.

“Abdelatty carried the same message to Speaker Nabih Berri and PM Nawaf Salam, stressing that the escalation Israel might resort to would be limitless,” the daily said.

It added that the Egyptian minister focused on three main points: full disarmament south of the Litani, the start of disarmament north of the Litani while pledging not to carry out any hostile act against Israel, and engaging in direct negotiations with Israel in Cairo under Saudi-U.S. sponsorship.