Mr. Ahmad Abul-Gheit, Egypt's foreign minister, has strongly denounced Israel's decision to expand its military operations in Lebanon. This, he said, will only result in more civilian casualties and greater destruction of Lebanon's infrastructure. No military goals are likely to be achieved; especially that there is enough evidence to prove that the use of force has failed time and again to achieve political goals.

In statements delivered Wednesday August 9, 2006, Egypt's top diplomat said that at the time when the whole of the international community is pressing for an immediate ceasefire, and when the hallways of the United Nations have been scene to intensive talks held with the purpose of passing a Security Council resolution to bring hostilities to a halt, Israel's decision is pushing towards escalation rather than towards responding to world efforts seeking to end the fighting and resolve the crisis.

Abul-Gheit added that Israel's behavior is contradictory with Lebanese efforts to prevent an escalation. Beirut seeks a peaceful solution to the crisis; a solution in compliance with the resolutions of international legality, protecting the country's sovereignty and maintaining its people's unity. This is why the Lebanese government has decided to deploy some 15,000 troops in the south to replace the Israeli forces presently stationed across the blue line.

The foreign minister said that the decision by the Lebanese government to deploy 15,000 troops following Israel's withdrawal to beyond the blue line makes it evident how Beirut is keen on creating a climate conducive to assisting members of the Security Council to adopt a ceasefire resolution that meets Lebanese demands.

Abul-Gheit noted that in all its contacts with the permanent members of the Security Council and with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan over the draft calling for an end to hostilities and for a political framework ensuring a sustainable ceasefire, Cairo embraces Beirut's Seven-Point-plan guaranteeing an applicable  resolution, which prevents the outbreak of further confrontations and avoids the spread of regional anarchy and instability.