Aoun meets Egyptian president in Cairo

President Joseph Aoun met Monday with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the Heliopolis Palace in Cairo, a day after he attended the inauguration Mass of the new Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City.

In Rome, Aoun held talks with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

In an interview with Egyptian digital television channel ON E, Aoun said he will discuss with Sisi the reconstruction of war-hit Lebanon, the energy file, aid to the Lebanese Armed Forces, and other developments including U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East.

Aoun said that Lebanon has returned to the Arab World and that he expects an imminent resumption of Saudi flights to Lebanon after the UAE allowed its citizens to travel to Lebanon lifting a four-year travel ban.

"Arab countries want economic reforms and stability (in Lebanon) before making new investments," Aoun told the Egyptian channel.

After meeting Sisi, Aoun said peace in Lebanon should begin with the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. The Lebanese President urged a halt to Israel's offensive in Gaza and Israeli attacks on Lebanon and said he backs Hezbollah's disarmament.