President Abdel Fattah El Sisi received today, Wednesday, Jake Sullivan, the United States National Security Advisor to President Joe Biden, and discussed bilateral issues, according to Presidency Spokesperson Bassam Rady.
[caption id="attachment_271108" align="aligncenter" width="380"]
Presidency Spokesperson Bassam Rady- File Photo[/caption]
Senior officials from both sides attended the meeting; most notably Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry, Director of the General Intelligence Service Abbas Kamel, US National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East Brett McGurk, Senior Advisor to the National Security Advisor Ariana Berengaut, Director for North Africa at the NSC Josh Harris and Deputy Chief of Mission Nicole Shampaine.
Sisi asked for his greetings to be conveyed to US President Biden; stressing Egypt’s keenness to further strengthen and bolster the strategic partnership with the U.S. in continuation of the long-standing bilateral relations that span over four decades, particularly at the military and security levels.
This partnership has always contributed to security and stability efforts in the Middle East, in light of the tension it witnesses.
On his side, Sullivan conveyed to Sisi the greetings of President Biden and affirmed that the US looked forward to enhancing and developing the ongoing strategic coordination and cooperation with Egypt in the coming period, in light of its pivotal and balanced role in the Middle East.
[caption id="attachment_274670" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Sisi Receives US National Security Advisor[/caption]
He lauded Egypt’s effective efforts to combat terrorism and extremism and stressed the importance of advancing cooperation between the two countries in this field in the coming period.
"The meeting tackled the latest regional developments, particularly the situation in Libya, Tunisia, Syria, Yemen and Iraq," said Rady.
On Libya, there was an alignment in views with regard to the need to intensify joint coordination between the two sides and international partners on preparations for holding the upcoming elections, ensuring the withdrawal of mercenaries and foreign forces, and uniting the security and military institutions.
President Sisi highlighted the importance that Egypt places on the success of the political trajectory and the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Libya, stressing the need to hold national elections in Libya as scheduled in December 2021.
Moreover, the meeting also discussed the latest with regard to the Renaissance Dam issue, in light of the latest Presidential Statement by the UN Security Council that called on all parties to reach a legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam within a short period of time, so as to achieve the common interests of all sides.
Sisi reiterated that Egypt has been firmly committed to the negotiations’ path, reaffirming that the international community has to play an effective role to solve this critical issue, as Egypt will not accept any harm to be inflicted on its water rights.
In the same context, Sullivan renewed the US administration’s commitment to exerting efforts in order to ensure Egypt’s water rights, in a way that preserves the water and development rights of all parties.
The meeting also reviewed the latest developments in the Palestinian issue and efforts to revive the peace process. The US National Security Advisor expressed his country’s appreciation for Egypt’s efforts to contain the situation in the Gaza Strip and prevent further deterioration, in addition to its initiative for the reconstruction of Gaza.
The two sides agreed on the need to continue consultations and coordination so as to ensure maintaining the ceasefire and sustaining the current state of calm to improve the humanitarian and living conditions of the Palestinians.
Sisi affirmed that solving the Palestinian issue in accordance with international resolutions and restoring the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people will have a huge impact on changing the situation on the ground in the entire Middle East to the better and open up broader prospects for peace, cooperation and development.
Follow the latest news on Google News
