US Central Command Affirms Washington’s Reliance on Egypt’s Role in MENA, North Africa

Michael Kurilla, the commander of United States Central Command, affirmed Monday his country's reliance on the active and pivotal Egyptian role in the Middle East and North Africa.

He stressed the US’s position stems from the broad experience and deep understanding of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi of the nature of conditions and challenges in that important region of the world.

“President Sisi received today Lieutenant-General Michael Kurilla, commander of the US Central Command,” said Presidency Spokesperson Bassam Rady.

Lieutenant-General Mohamed Zaki, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Minister of Defense and Military Production, in addition to the head of the US Military Cooperation Office, the political advisor to the Commander of the US Central Command, and the Chargé d'Affairs of the US Ambassador to Cairo took part in the meeting.

Rady noted that Sisi welcomed the Commander of the US Central Command on his visit to Egypt, stressing the importance of joint military cooperation within the framework of the extended strategic relations between Egypt and the United States.

On his part, the Commander of the US Central Command expressed his honor to meet the president, stressing his keenness for Egypt to be the first stop of his foreign visits to the region since taking office.

He also asserted the full US solidarity with Egypt in its efforts to combat terrorism as it is the most dangerous common challenge facing the region and threatening regional security as a whole.

The US military official also offered condolences to the president for the martyrs of the armed forces who were martyred as a result of the treacherous terrorist attack that took place recently in Sinai.