CAIRO, Nov 27 (MENA) - Egypt welcomed a ceasefire deal in Lebanon that came into effect on Wednesday morning.

In a statement the Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Ministry said, the step will signal the beginning of de-escalation phase in the region, through the full implementation of the United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution no. 1701, enabling the Lebanese army to deploy in southern Lebanon and retain its control over the entire Lebanese territory.

Egypt stressed the great importance of respecting Lebanon's sovereignty without meddling in its internal affairs, underlining the necessity of working to support state institutions, including electing a Lebanese president without any external interference, according to the statement.

The deal should be a prelude to Israel's halt of its one year aggression in the Gaza Strip, it said, pointing out to the necessity of reaching an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and allowing delivery of sustained humanitarian aid to the Palestinians, especially in light of the catastrophic humanitarian conditions in the Strip and the unjustified violations in the West Bank.

Egypt also underscored utmost importance of stopping escalation in the region, noting that there were no military solutions to the crises in the region, except through engaging in negotiations and dialogue, restoring rights to their owners, and adhering to the principles of international law, international humanitarian law, international legitimacy and the Charter of the United Nations (UN) and its resolutions, the statement added.

The statement further highlighted the importance of resolving crises through a serious political process and within the framework of a specific timetable leading to establishing of the state of Palestine on the entire Palestinian territory and ending the occupation. (MENA)

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