Beirut: President of the Republic Joseph Aoun held a phone call on Saturday evening with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to discuss the latest developments in Lebanon following the start of the ceasefire. During the call, Sisi reaffirmed Egypt's support for the steps taken by Aoun to halt military escalation, foremost among them direct bilateral negotiations aimed at ending military operations, securing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from areas they occupy in southern Lebanon, and enabling the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces up to the southern border. According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Sisi voiced support for other measures intended to strengthen the authority of the Lebanese state across its entire territory. He renewed Egypt's solidarity with the Lebanese people and expressed Cairo's readiness to help end their suffering. Aoun thanked the Egyptian president for his supportive positions toward Lebanon, saying they reflect the deep fraternal ties between the two countries a nd peoples. He also praised Egypt's role in helping advance efforts aimed at serving Lebanon's interests and thanked Cairo for the humanitarian aid it recently sent to Lebanon, as well as further assistance planned in the future. The two presidents agreed to remain in contact to follow ongoing developments.