Sisi explains Middle East situation to U.S. figures

CAIRO – 18 September 2017: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi met on Monday a number of high-ranking American officials, including ministers and former military, along with leaders of research centers, Jewish organizations and think-tanks in the U.S.

Sisi welcomed the American officials and stressed the importance of the strategic relations between Egypt and the United States going back decades, and he pointed to Egypt's keenness to promote and develop these relations, said presidency spokesman Alaa Youssef.

Youssef added that Sisi discussed the crises facing the Middle East with the chairman of the Executive Council of National Security Bruce Mosler, vice president of the Brookings Institution for Foreign Policy Studies Bruce Jones and former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security under George W. Bush Michael Chertoff.

During the meeting, the president reviewed the developments in the internal arena, pointing out that Egypt has been fighting a war against terrorism and extremism over the past years, and that this war cannot be compared to a traditional war.

The president also referred to the steps taken by Egypt in the field of economic development, stressing that the implementation of the economic reform program was not possible without the Egyptians’ understanding of the importance of making difficult decisions to address chronic economic problems.

Sisi also pointed out the measures taken to provide an attractive environment for investment, as well as the national projects implemented by the state, especially in the field of infrastructure, as well as the New Administrative Capital and other new cities being established throughout the country.

Regarding the democratic transition and human rights situation in Egypt, the president pointed out that Egypt now has a clear constitutional framework that regulates the relationship between the state authorities and gives broad powers to the elected Parliament.

In response to the crisis in Qatar, Sisi discussed Egypt's view of the crisis, stressing that it is time to effectively address the parties supporting terrorism and push them to shoulder their responsibilities, pointing out that Qatar must show its desire not to harm the interests of Arab countries and not to interfere in their internal affairs.

The attendees praised the steps taken by Egypt to preserve its Jewish heritage. In this regard, the president affirmed Egypt's keenness in preserving its vast heritage that includes various ages, civilizations and religions, said Youssef.