Statement over sending troops to Syria "does not pertain to Egypt": FM

CAIRO – 5 May 2018: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday that Egypt does not send forces outside its territory, stressing that such a decision is only subject to constitutional mechanisms and specific political and legal regulations, ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid said in a statement on Friday.

The statement came to clarify Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry remarks to state-run newspaper Al-Ahram that sending Arab troops to Syria is a possible option in response to some questions raised over this topic.

The press statement, posted on the Ministry’s official Facebook page, affirmed that Shoukry’s statement did not pertain to Egypt.

The ministry added that Egypt is not willing to send troops to Syria by any means.

Former undersecretary of Egypt’s General Intelligence Mohammad Rashad said in press remarks that Egypt will be continuously refusing U.S. requests to send armed forces to Syria. He added that Egypt is not interested to militarily intervene in Syria.