Egypt’s minister of defense meets with US CENTCOM commander

CAIRO – 19 October 2023: Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Military Production Mohamed Zaki met on Thursday with Commander of the US Central Command Michael Kurilla (CENTCOM) and his accompanying delegation, in Egypt.

The meeting discussed developments in the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Palestinians and its serious repercussions on security and stability in the region.

The commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces praised the relations between the armed forces of both countries, stressing the need to strengthen efforts to bring humanitarian aid and urgent relief into the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing.

Zaki also highlighted the importance of avoiding military escalation in the strip so as not to involve other parties in the conflict, which would undermine peace and stability in the region.

Meanwhile, the CENTCOM commander praised the pivotal role played by Egypt in achieving security and stability in the region.

The meeting was attended by Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Osama Askar, a number of armed forces commanders, the acting US ambassador, and the US defense attaché in Cairo.

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has affirmed to Commander of the US Central Command Michael Kurilla the need to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza as a top priority.

During the meeting, Sisi and Kurilla discussed developments of the situation in Gaza, and reviewed Egypt’s efforts to de-escalate the situation.