Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit expressed the concern of Egypt's government and people over developments in Lebanon and called for an immediate ceasefire.

During a press conference with his British counterpart Margaret Beckett in London on Thursday, the foreign minister said he discussed with the British official conditions in Lebanon.

 

He said the international community and the UN Security Council must work to draw up a plan for a ceasefire and end violence and destruction of the Lebanese infrastructure.

Abul-Gheit said the Egyptian government has been offering help to evacuate Egyptian nationals wishing to leave the Lebanese territories, adding that between 15,000 and 20,000 Egyptians were living in Lebanon.

Abul-Gheit said it was understandable to seek the release of the two Israeli soldiers captured in Lebanon. But this must be done under a ceasefire or the situation would continue to deteriorate, he added.

The Egyptian top diplomat called for a political action to help the Lebanese people end the current crisis. He noted that there was no military solution to the Mideast crisis, calling on the international community to help reach a political compromise to the crisis.

For her part, British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett underlined the need to reach a permanent ceasefire. She said different international parties were working to end violence in the region.