Sisi, King Abdullah II talk counterterrorism efforts amid MESA calls

CAIRO - 13 January 2019: During his one-day visit to Amman, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi discussed with Jordanian Monarch King Abdullah II the regional and international issues of mutual concerns amid calls from U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to form a Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA) with Gulf Cooperation Council members, Egypt and Jordan to face “terrorism.”

President Sisi and King Abdullah II agreed “to continue intensified coordination between the two countries to face the unprecedented challenges that threaten the security and stability of the Arab nation,” according to a statement from the Egyptian Presidency on Sunday.

The two leaders discussed the bilateral relations and situations of Libya, Syria, and Yemen, besides the couner-terrorism efforts, the statement added, noting they highlighted the significance of pushing forward the international efforts to root out terrorism “in framework of a comprehensive strategy aims at eradicating this evil [terrorism] that endangers the international community entirely.”


President Sisi and his accompanied delegation meets with King Abdullah II and Jordanian counterparts-Press photo


Coincidentally, Pompeo called on Sunday for putting an end to the ongoing dispute between four Arab States (Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt) and Qatar to pave a way for forming the alliance. ““When we have a common challenge, disputes between countries with shared objectives are never helpful,” he was quoted as saying by Reuters when he gave remarks to reporters in Doha.

In his speech at the American University in Cairo on Thursday, Pompeo said “We will continue to work with our allies in the Middle East to defeat Isis. … The U.S. will also be a supporting power to its allies … You cannot say the same for the Russians, Iranians, or Chinese."

Talks about Palestinian-Israeli cause

The two leaders’ meeting also tackled the Palestinian-Israeli cause, the statement added, saying that both leaders said they are working on resuming the negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis, based on a two-state solution and the Arab Peace Initiative to establish a Palestinian state on borders of 1967.

In his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abass on January 10, President Sisi said that Egypt will continue its efforts with Palestinian parties to reach reconciliation, and will work towards overcoming all the difficulties that stand in the way of Palestinian reconciliation and unity.

On the sidelines of the 73rd session of the General Assembly of the United Nations on September 25, President Sisi met with King Abdullah II; both leaders affirmed that their country support a Plaestinian statehood on borders of 1967.

On May 23, President Sisi received King Abdullah II in Cairo and they tackled bilateral relations, beside the Palestinian issues.


President Sisi was welcomed by King Abdullah II in Amman- Press photo